Letter to Yukishiro-san
Dear Yukishiro-san,
I hope this letter finds you well and that your preparations for your trip to are going smoothly. Things seem much calmer here than they were in Tokyo. Perhaps it is just because I do not get out and about here, as much as I do in Tokyo, so I do not see what really goes on in this town.
I had to leave my naginata in Tokyo, so unless I can find some here to borrow, I will need to wait until I return home before I start to practice with them. It has been so long, since I last used any. I hope I remember all of the moves.
I do feel safer here, so it isn't so important to hone my skills at the moment. I realize I bought them on an impulse, but I am sure it was because I no longer felt safe in Tokyo. I needed to have something at home with which to defend my children, if necessary. This most likely was the result of a number of close calls during the last weeks I was in Tokyo, where my safety was in question. I am sorry to burden you with such a dower discourse.
I have been visiting local gardens and parks to see if I can garner some new ideas to incorporate into my garden back in Tokyo. I am fortunate that a family friend is watching over my plants at home and making sure that they are watered and weeded. It would be disappointing to me to return home to find them all shriveled up from lack of water! My lilies back at home should be blooming and quite fragrant by now.
I recently received a letter from Takani-sensei. I am very pleased to hear that she is recovering. She was so severely injured that I feared for her life at one point. She tells me that you are tending her garden while she recovers. Thank you so much for doing that for her! It is a great kindness and I know that she truly appreciates what you are doing.
Remember the money that you gave me? Takani-sensei and I were going to use it to help the families that were victims of the poisoned rice. After Dr. Takani spent time in that hospital's horrible Ward 4, I suggested using some of it to help improve the conditions there. The need there is great,and those who are suffering the most deserve to leave this world in the most compassionate way possible. They must be taken care of both physically and emotionally. Their loved ones deserve no less than to see, that all that was possible, was done to make them comfortable.
There will still be enough money left to do what we originally planned and help the families of the victim's of the poisoned rice. Both Takani-sensei and I appreciate the generosity you showed by giving me the money that day.
I am enjoying spending time with my children. The three of us worked to make two kites, which we have had fun flying. It is such a simple pleasure, but those are the things that I look forward to these days, the simple, precious things that make life a joy.
I hope that you are well and are taking some time to relax. You may write to me at 1-1 Kaigandori, Naka-ku, Yokohama. Please do not worry if you do not have time to write. I will understand.
Sincerely,
Murakami Oharu*
*(ooc: Enishi asked Tokio to use an alias when she wrote to him.)