14-12-4
Manzanar, Calif.

August 7, 1943

Dear Joe,

As I went to the block office this morning, I was wondering what had happened to you because you didn't write for 1 week. Especially after your letters came continuously ever day or every other day. Well, after going to the post office place to get letters everyday for 1 week, I really got sorta disgusted. So at least just write out a post card huh! I guess I'll have to excuse you because all of your reasons are on this letter of July 24th.

Your letter is practically on what you did every hour so I guess theres nothing to answer.

Well, you finally did get the roses huh, well it's about time you did. Every letter I wrote was ("did you get the roses") well I don't have to ask anymore, I'm glad that it makes you feel better & reminds you of 14-12-4. Did you sorta share them to each room? Did you give any to the lady that has been so good towards you and the fellows?

After I saw the picture of the porch, it gave me ideas that Chicago is kinda of a corny dump.

Yeaw, Joe, did you tell Kenji what I sorta thought of him? You, you, big [illegible]. Gee you must of hurt the poor guys feelings. (Whats the big idea?) Tell him he has looks and everything. His sister (the married 1) asked to get his picture so Mama is going to take it to her. Mama is in the same class as Kenjis sister. They say Kenji's a good cook. Right?????

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We are all hoping to see you come through school. Say, it will be hard on you if you Pass. That job so I hope that niger won't stop you.

Ha, ha, ha, fat woman huh? Well you must be home sick to use the thoughtful figures of the Miss California and America contestants. Pretty soon the finals are coming up.

They all say Chicago is getting filled with too many bookes. Jimmy Hashimoto is going up there this month (Yuki Odahara's boy friend).

They all say that some lady gets killed every time some one leaves the camp.

So the fraternity boys have girl friends huh. Well if they are nice it must be lots of fun. You better not have any.

You said you had a crazy dream, we do too. Towru & I always talk in our sleep. One time Towru start talking and it woke me up and I guess every body does some thing in their sleep.

Yesterday, I finally finished my sweater. I tore the thing out about 4 times around the rusk about land right I finally finished & lasted it together. I tried it on and it seems pretty small. But I don't care just as long as I really do finish it, it will be okay. Today I am starting the short sleeves and I'm trying to fix it and make it by the end of this month. Poor Towru, the letter man sweater was practically finished when Mama run out if Yan half finished with the sleeve. Boy is Towru mad.

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Hes been waiting for a long time to get a hold of that kind of yarn.

Yesterday, or the day before I wrote a letter to you in Japanese and had it all sealed and ready to put the stamps on when I discovered it open. Moma had read it so it made me angry & I tore up every bit of it. So you probably won't ever get a letter in Japanese from me.

I got a letter from the Varins and they are all well. Enclosed was a picture of punky and boy he really is getting big. They have a swing and buggy. The swing was brought up when they aren't there and the buggy was bought up there. They go to town with the horse and buggy and it seems to be quite old fashioned. They go wild berry picking and swimming in the lake and go fishing or swimming or boat riding.

The other day I wrote to Teresa Thompson to send up our radio and so she will probably get the letter today. Every time she writes she never says any thing so I don't write to her for any thing. All we want is just the radio so I hope it will come very soon.

We still haven't heard from the Boultons. They must be busy.

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Tonight there's going to be a old show as usual. This picture is "Swiss Family Robinson" which we saw back at home many years ago. I hope I'll enjoy it.

The other day I ate tofu for the first time in Manzanar. It was given to us by Towrus employer. Boy the tofu was good. Everyday they serve it out for 5 blocks & it hasn't reached ours yet but I'm waiting. They haven't had shoyu for a long time because they are making it better in taste. I thought shoyu wasn't valuable but it really is.

Last night we had steak with gravy and it really did taste good. It was soft for the first time. Good as ever to me. (maybe)

Right now it is 12:30 and I just ate lunch. Heres what the lunch was. Rice, spinach, lima beans, tea, doughnuts, & Jello. Ain't too good but its pretty good.

Mr. Nakamaki sent Mrs. Nakamaki (Hynees oldest sister) to the sugar and some candy. She gave me some candy and it tasted good. It was carmel candy. The next day Odahara San gave me some gum that George and Mr. Odahara san sent. I still have some but by Monday I bet there won't be any left. Yum Yum. The camp is still the same but on Oct. 1 they might start drafting. They called George I. in & they said you had better not go out because we are going to start drafting. That may mean Towru in the Army for sure. Signing off now.

Masako

Be sure you write because 1 week of no letters was killing, Well, write soon.