LIFE IN JAPAN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 75, 20 January 1947, Page 5

LIFE IN JAPAN

THE ‘FESTIVE’ SEASON

OTAKIRI BOY’S LETTER

Christmas in Japan, and the manner in which it was spent by members of the Occupation Force in at least one base is the theme of letters written home by Tpr. J. R. Irving, son of Mr and Mrs G. H. Irving, of Otakiri. They contain a number ■ of items which should interest readers, and which help to form a picture of the daily life of the men of ‘J’ Force.'

“It will be Christmas day in just five days,” one passage commences. “It doesn’t seem that close, especially with the season ‘turned round.’ Over here we are the only ones who seem to be looking forward to the event, although the Japs also celebrate what they call ‘Christmas’ about New Year’s Day. The night, before last we had another small fall of snow, abofft one inch, and the weather has been threatening ever since. It is also very cold.

Mizuba and Kure

“I was in Mizuba for a night, and it was the coldest one I have ever spent. There were no beds or pal-

liases, so we> were forced to sleep on the bare floor. The building is in

the process of being done up, and a number of the windows were out. -Japanese windows, by the way, are weird things—they don’t open out or slide up. The doors are built on the same style, and slide along. Some run easily, whilst others stick a lot, •or fall out.

“Last weekend, I spent in the •company of some friends from Mizuba. We went to Hiroshima and Kure. It took us an hour to get to Hiroshima, and when we set off for Kure, we walked three miles before we were picked up by a truck going through. It was a Nip vehicle,

and after we had gone only a short 1 distance, we also picked up six Aussies and four Indians. We finished the trip to Kure in a weapon car-

rier, and after calling at Kure House

went down to the docks. -The Nellore “was in, after making a very quick crossing, and there were several white children on board. Believe me, it was good to see them!” Christmas Dinner In a second letter, written a few days after Christinas, Tpr. Iriving comments on the Christmas dinner, and also tells of a recent earthquake. He says: “Christmas dinner was a great success. We decorated the mess and it quite cheery. The meal was also a success: we started with -chicken broth, and continued with roast chicken, peas, French beans, cauliflower and parsley sauce, and potatoes. The sweets served included trifle, fruit (tinned), whipped cream (tinned) and jellies. The ■cooks did an excellent job, considering that most of the foodstuff •came out of tins. A bottle of Australian beer topped off the repast. In traditional style the officers (including the Major), all dressed themselves in kimonas and waited on us in a very professional manner.

“The December was Children’s Day. About sixty kiddies from the school were invited to the camp with their teachers. We took them to the mess, and put the meal of their lives in front of thepi. Later, -they sang for us. Early Morning ’Quake “There was some excitement here last week in the form of an earthquake, which occurred at 4.30 a.m., and lasted about five minutes. When the rifle rack fell over, we all awoke with a start. Other things started to fall, including tiles from, the roof, so we all’stayed inside. The high tension wires about commenced to whip and short, and for the duration of the ’quake,-, the whole place was aglow with an eerie blue light. Yesterday, I was one of a party which went to the Repat. Centre to load a couple of trucks with Japanese blankets, and old Army uniforms for the earthquake relief. “I have received a number of parcels now, and they are all most . welcome.

“This afternoon, four of us took the opportunity to go through one of the famous Mitsubishi chemical works. We were taken through the rayon producing factory which, however, only makes the material; the actual weaving is done at another plant.

Poor Amenities

“Our Christmas amenities were very poor. We have seen no patriotic parcels as yet, and most of the Christmas amenities, we bought ourselves from the Nips. The fruit, we saved up from our canteen ration for the last month, whilst our interpreter managed to get colouring for the trifle from a baker down the street. The dinner, one might say was a combined effort by the cooks .and ourselves.”

In spite of the many difficulties, it appears as if Chi'istmas in Japan was quite successful as far as thr men themselves were concerned but, as Tpr. Irving concludes, they are starting to count the months till the time when the shores of Japan recede and they are New Zealand bound.