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derivative filename/jpeg
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363-05896 to 363-05899.pdf
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Digital Object Identifier
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363-05896 to 363-05899
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Title
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Beverly Keever's letter to her family from Japan
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Description
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Letter from Beverly Keever to her parents and sister shortly after her arrival in Japan. She discusses the flight from the U.S., the airport, her stay at Tokyo International House, the Tokyo AP office and Press Club, her first impressions of Tokyo, a short visit to Ginza, and being asked to write several "womanish" articles
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Transcript
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Sunday morn
April 10, 1961
International House, Tokyo
Dear Mom, Dad and Joanie,
I'll use Jaan's technique of
writing carbons; that way I know
that I'll get you all written. I'll try to tell you in chronological
order pretty much of what happened, since that's the way it now lies in my
mind.
The plane left Seattle-Tacoma International Airport at x 9:25
Pacific Coast Time, 1 hour and 10 minutes late because of mechanical trouble
before hitting Seattle. I just poked around the airport and the hotel most
of the time. I was 2 lbs. overwt. on my large suitcase, but the little
airlines man tefbxmanonn din didn't charge me for it. I was also
concerned about sneaking the typewriter and tote bag on without a ha carry-on
tag, so the porter got me 2 of them. But I needn't have worried; they didn't
check the carryons at all. The plane was pretty well loaded, tho most of
the people got off at Anchorage. I was sitting next to a married couple who
were in the service at Anchorage; they were really sold on theplace.
Wife said they had lots of theatre groups; had to import snow on the streets
for the annual dog races; also had ceramics classes. They were from Maine;
husband tried to tell me that Anchoragehad more structures that Augusta and
that the Anchorage airport was better han the one at Boston or Augusta.
But when we
Since I haven't seen the latter 2 airports, I couldn't argue.
The
got aff at Anchorage of for about 40 minutes, I wasn't too impressed.
place was rather dingy; tho modern in structure; few people except in the
bar; were repainting with Fuller paint (presumably a brand name) and the
whole place stunk. Got a
tuna salad sandwich with potato salad and hot
chocolate for 85g and they even tasted a bit like paint.
Also on the flight was an ancient Chinese woman who was going
to Hong Kong. Nobody could understand a word she said except another
Chinese woman who spoke only broken English.
The swear stewardesses had to
fight with her to fasten her seat belt. She took a fancy to me--I was across
the aisle--because I gave her a blanket. So while I ate my breakfast she
We finally figured
jabbered to me in Chinese, but of course I was blank.
out that she had a headache and she took an aspirin the stewardess gave her.
After Anchorage, we could lay down on the vacant seats and
from the 7 hour flight to Tokyo I really slept.
They served use a delicious
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2
breakfast about an hour before arriving.
The moon was terrifically radiant
as we glided along, shining on what I first thought was the Pacific, but
later figured out were clouds. We flew in aat about 27,000 feet.
We left Seattle in the eve. of April 6, April 7 wasa lost
day because of the international dateline; we arrived in Tokyo about
2:30 in the morn of April 8. In approaching Tokyo, one could see only
occasional patches of lights below--must have been isolated towns.
In landing, you come in over a big body of water, like at LaGuardia,
and you wonder where the landing strip is. The airport is a sprawling
modern one, much like Idlewild, but looked pretty dismal at that hour.
We went thro customs--the little customs man was intrgued by my chignon--
took at limo
got money and then 2 fellows and a Korean girl and I
for 400 Y from the airport and he dropped me off at International House.
The doorman game left me in, but the desk attendant informed
me they had a peservation starting the 9th--no room yet. So they put a
bed in a small room used for translations. Sufficed for the night; then
moved down the hall.
In appmonchingm driving thro the outlying areas of Tokyo,
my first impression was that of Moscow. There were few lights and without
seeing the foreign language signs, the buildings were low-slung, gray
and dingy and bit tired. We did pass a few high-storied apartment houses,
which looked as tho they were transplanted from the Upper East Side in
new York. Really beautiful. There is a "Japanese Effiel Tower"-- supposedly
the highest structure in the world--including Empire State Bldg, which has
red flashing bulbs on it. Used for a tado or tv. antennae,
the beauty of the arr Horriber but you gir
International House is really beautiful.
It reminds me of
видет
Leads
a cross between a rambling ranchhouse and a split level of the NY sububan
type. But the think I like best is that one side of the room has a windowed
moving door and latticed screen which you can roll back and forth.
to a balconey overlooking a beautful Japanese garden--I just took a
picture of it, so you can tell what it looks like too.
April 9th.
Slept til about 10--then changed rooms.
outside Int. House how I got to the AP building.
Asked a little man
He said he was a bus
driver for the Gray Line Tour and he volunteered to drop me off at that
Incidentally, the
building in the bus since he was going in that direction.
drive on the left hand side of the street. In fact, it's hard to see how
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think of Japan as Oriental. I have yet to see a pagoda or shŕmne.
He explained their toru to me and said that he had gone to college,
tho probably didn't. Didn't speak too good of English.
At the AP office, John Randolph, the man you're sending my
mail to, but still haven't gotten any, has been promoted to exec. ed.
Forrest Edwards, the chief of bureau, was in...had a good talk, suggested
several "womanish" articles to write which I'll start working on.
The
He invited me and another reporter to the Press Club for lunch.
Press Club is really elegant, tho it seemed small comparted to one in NY.
After that, he did some work and I talked with a "Harmonica Society"
of the Meiji Uni...all boys... all wore uniforms to cut school costs (not
military hangover). They were going to pref play for somethin
Asahi Halll Had several guitars plus bongo drums, but the music
wasn't too oriental. Also have an off-step rhumba beat called
Drujuba (sp), which we heard other places.
in the
After this the AP bureau chief had to get his cigareete liter
fixed so we walked down to the Ginza section of town--which he called
"The Broadway of Tokyo--movie houses, lots of small shops opening onto
to the street. Then to a "coffee house", which is a far cry from the
Village. Really elegant. Can get almost anything to eat or drink.
Had an orchestra, playing something similar to Vienese music.
It's now 11:20 a.m. and I'm starved. Will finish this later.
Am off to the AP office to go thro their files on what they've written on
Jpan.
April 10.
Then went to
Yesterday, Sunday, was pretty much of a nothing day in the way
of touristing. Ate lunch at the International House--a delicious plateful
of fried Shrimp, tomatoes and french fried potatoes, with fresh strawberries
for dessert. Cost a little over $1, including the tip. Theroom here at
International House is $3.30 a day--not too bad, I think.
the AP office and read thro their files on radio-tv here, also on women's
role in Japan today, which has changed considerably since the war and the
occupation. I'm going to start concentrating on these stories today.
We'll have to see what comes out of it. The most I'd get would be about 4
articles, probably 3. But will be fun and will give me a chance to write
from Japan, which I hadn't intended to do. Will to be a help to pay some
of my expenses for this long stay too.
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Some of
Came home from the AP office about 7:30 after eating in a
Hested-style lunch counter in one of the big shopping centers.
the big stores are open on Sundays and there was a big mob of people
In fact,
it's
rained
downtown in the evening when it started to rain.
or drizzled every night I've been here, but the days have been sunny and
Was 55 when we landed at the Airport at 2:30 p.m. on
the 8th
and its been about the same every since, tho yesterday was a little raw.
It's now 7:15 in the a.m. and I'm going to go downstairs
for
breakfast. Do wrte me soon.
warn.
And thanks so much for everything.
Will write again soon.
CC:
Mom & Dad and Joan.
Love and stuff,
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Date
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1961, Apr. 10
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Subject
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English language--Study and teaching--Japanese speakers; Tourism; International travel; Tokyo, Japan; Keever, Beverly Deepe; AP Newsfeatures (Firm)
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Location
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International House of Japan, Tokyo, Japan
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Coordinates
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35.6585; 139.7334
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Size
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20 x 26 cm
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Container
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B174, F7
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Format
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personal correspondence
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Collection Number
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MS 363
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Collection Title
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Beverly Deepe Keever, Journalism Papers
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Creator
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Keever, Beverly Deepe
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Collector
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Keever, Beverly Deepe
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Copyright Information
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These images are for educational use only. To inquire about usage or publication, please contact Archives & Special Collections.
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Publisher
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Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries
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Language
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English
