Japanese Earthquake Letter

Today’s post features another letter from Avoca’s archives. This one is addressed to Gladys Fauntleroy, and it was written by one of her Japanese pupils from her time in Japan. Dated from 1923, this valuable letter provides an eyewitness account to one of Japan’s most devastating natural disasters. In 1923 the Great Kantō Earthquake struck Japan. This massive tragedy resulted in the deaths of 140,000 people and registered on the Richter Scale as a 9.0. Gladys, who was present for the earthquake and assisted in relief efforts, was clearly loved by her pupils. This endearing letter captures an invaluable firsthand account of this historic event. The full transcription can be read below.

October 30.
Dear Miss Fauntleroy

I was going to write you at once to tell you I was safe. But I did not do it; I beg Your pardon. When the first big earthquake came I was just taking the lunch, I came home at once and my house was safe. My father and I cleaned the house. For we did not think my house burns. At Eight o’ clock my house burnt. We were safe (my father and I.) and we spent two days near Hibiya Park with other people. We were so hungry; but there were anything to eat nor to drink and the other houses were still burning prayed to God, our Father with my whole heart. The next day we went to Shina-Gawa. On the way Shina-Gawa people said that many Coreans come and kill us. So we spent that night in The garden of Prine of Ja-Keda. The next morning we went to Nihonkoku and we were there for three weeks. At the end of Sept. we moved to Ushigome. On the 9th of October we left Tokyo and we went to Osaka. We came home on the 18th of this month. Because the Bank of Japan began. The Bank burnt, too. But some place and new building did not burn. I’m so busy now. All our clothes burnt, but I still keep the photo-graph which I took it at Ginga with you in August and the lovely Chinese fan which you gave me when you came back to Japan from China. I will send the photograph to you soon. As my baggage does not reach me yet from Osaka. I will send it to you at once when it reached Me. Last Sunday I went to see Miss Kuwokawa, Miss Haywood and Miss Murray with Miss Yasuda. On our way home we met Miss Ishii. Her house burnt, too. Miss Hashino’s house also burnt and her younger sister died. I’m so sorry for her. Write to me when you can, please and tell me what you are doing and thinking. I hope you are well and happy.

Sincerely yours,

Haruko Ukamura