Title:
Letter from Paul H. [Kusuda] to [Afton] Nance 1942, Jul 23
Creator:
Kusuda, Paul H., 1922-
Subject:
"Nance, Afton Dill "
Japanese Americans-- Evacuation and relocation, 1942-1945
Description:
Handwritten letter to Afton Nance from Paul H. Kusuda, 1942 July 23.
B 32-3-3 War Relocation Area Manzanar, California July 23, 1942 Dear Mrs. Nance: What
a pleasant surprise! Can you imagine how I felt when I came home from work and was confronted by my mother asking me when
I ordered anything from Robinson’s? Wondering what she was talking about, I went into the room to see the object which aroused
my mother’s curiosity. Sure enough, there was a package addressed to me. At first, I thought that there was some sort of
an error on the part of the Robinson Company. Suddenly, I got a marvelous thought. The good old brain was perking on all
its rusty cylinders. “What’s the use of just looking at the package? Why not open it?” Following up the idea, I carefully
tore the wrapper off and unfolded the corrugated cardboard wrap-around. Then, I found it to be a book (I didn’t notice until
later that the word “Books” was printed or rather stamped on the wrapper). Adamic’s, “From Many Lands”! Gee, Mrs. Nance,
thanks a lot. I really appreciate it much more that I can say or hope to express. My usage of words is inadequate. I had
always intended to read that book (I heard so much about it), but I never was able to find the time to do so. Now, a copy
belongs to me! Gosh, I don’t know what to say, I owe so much to you that I don’t exactly know what I can do. My father
has started to read the book already (the part dealing with the Japanese) and he says that it’s a fine book, too. By the
way, about a year ago (or less), I was introduced to a young lady about 23 years old (or more). It seems that the main character
of the part pertaining to the Japanese was her brother, Charles Fikuchi. This Meriko (to whom I was introduced) was the second
sister, I think. What a small world! Meriko was quite a talker. In fact, she tended to babble a bit, but otherwise she
seemed rather intelligent. I read Gollomb’s, “What’s Democracy to You?” and I am sending you some quotations which I took
from the book. Now, I am reading Julian Huxley’s, “Democracy Marches.” Mr. Richardson (you remember him at City College
at our meetings) came to Manzanar one Saturday about a month ago. He brought about 2000 books from City College (various
department) to donate to the library here. At that time, he left a book for a couple of us to read. That was “Democracy
Marches.” It’s really a good book. I guess that I’ve taken enough time off from work, so I’ll quit writing until the next
time. Gratefully, Paul H.
Publisher:
Japanese American National Museum
Date:
1942 July 23
Type:
Letters (correspondence);
Format:
1 item ( 4 p. letter ) ; sheet 20 x 12 cm.
Identifier:
JANM_088
2001.175.23
Language:
eng
Relation:
Coverage:
Manzanar (Calif.)
Rights:
Copyrighted;
All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from materials in this collection must be submitted to the Hirasaki
National Resource Center at the Japanese American National Museum (hnrc@janm.org).
Japanese American National Museum
Letter from Paul H. [Kusuda] to [Afton] Nance 1942, Jul 23