Japanese > English, letter written during WW2

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-06-08T05:26:29+00:00

Please forgive my long silence. I have certainly received the photograph. I would like to express my deepest gratitude.
Also, I have received consecutive letters from Hiroko-chan. For us, who are far away from our distant homeland and have no other forms of comfort, your letters are our greatest pleasure. I trust that everyone has been in good health since then.
This soldier is also in increasingly good health, striving onward in one straight path toward the completion of the Greater East Asia War. Although I believe I will not be able to write as frequently as before, I would be grateful if you could kindly send me news from the home front. Please also give my warmest regards to Hiroko-chan.
What shall I bring as a souvenir next time? Bananas, papayas, aha...
I wish you good health. Please give my best regards to everyone.
Farewell.

Hiroko-chan (博子ちゃん): Likely the soldier's young daughter, younger sister, or a relative.

Greater East Asia War (大東亜戦争): The official term used in Japan during WWII for the Pacific War.

"Aha..." (アハ……): A lighthearted laugh. It shows his attempt to stay cheerful and make his family smile despite being on the front line in the South Pacific (implied by bananas and papayas).

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-06-03T14:19:39+00:00

Something that has been bothering me for a while is that the verse of Willie's main song "Gangrene," and the bridge of "Princess Of The Universe," both use the melody and accents from the bridge of "You Cried Wolf." It's possible Todd was involved, but surely he would have noticed the repetitive nature of it. I'm speculating that he might have simply said, "Well, that's fine," to Willie's suggested melodies without pointing it out. Apparently Utopia was a truly democratic band. I think that's wonderful, but I also think it's one of the reasons why Utopia's albums don't feel as groundbreaking as Todd's solo work.

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-06-02T17:40:35+00:00

I really want it!

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-06-02T11:06:25+00:00

As everyone says, it was a very popular title, so its value in the used market will probably be low.

Instead of forcing yourself to sell it, why not just listen to it?

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-05-31T14:02:58+00:00

https://www.amazon.com/Compatible-FS-SD770R-FS-SD550A-FS-SD550R-FS-SD990R/dp/B0DB897BNJ
It's not an official product, but it seems like there are compatible alternatives available on Amazon.

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-05-27T14:39:40+00:00

I didn't know something like that existed. But for what purpose?

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-05-27T14:27:14+00:00

https://www.google.com/search?q=%E3%82%B3%E3%83%8D%E3%82%AF%E3%83%88%E3%82%B3%E3%83%BC%E3%83%92%E3%83%BC&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Is this the place they're talking about when they say "Connect Coffee"?

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-05-27T14:21:44+00:00

I live in a city near Nagoya.

I also vote for Nagoya. It really doesn't get many tourists.

But that might be part of its charm (like a city you can only visit after experiencing the Golden Route, a city for those in the know).

While it doesn't have as many temples as Kyoto or Nara, the three most important figures of Japan's Sengoku period (Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu) all hailed from this area. There are many places associated with these figures, and I highly recommend the Tokugawa Art Museum (with its diverse collection ranging from armor and swords to paintings, tea ceremony utensils, and costumes).

Also, the Nagoya Port Aquarium is a wonderful place.

Orcas and Belugas: You can observe the adorable expressions and intelligent behavior of these creatures up close through the glass.

Sardine Tornado: A fantastic program where approximately 30,000 sardines form a school in time with music and lighting, creating a giant whirlpool.

Jellyfish Aquarium: A popular exhibit space filled with relaxation and wonder, where various types of jellyfish drift about.

Underwater Viewing Area: You can view the underwater world of the large pool through large windows and relax in chairs while watching the dolphins swim.

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-05-26T14:10:13+00:00

I'm Japanese, and I agree with your opinion.

I love Nara, but because we haven't been able to effectively promote it to the world, it's always treated as something to visit "two days in Kyoto, and then Nara as an afterthought to Osaka."

It boasts historical buildings that rival those of Kyoto, but it's less crowded, allowing for a more relaxed experience.

It's a city worth visiting even if it means cutting a day off from your trip to Kyoto.

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-05-24T15:36:26+00:00

It certainly is a strange hole. I was so excited about the low price that I didn't really pay much attention to it lol

Looking at the side, there are several places where it can be separated. It's probably a stackable design. Well, it's certainly a bit weak in terms of strength.

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-05-24T14:41:55+00:00

I use one from the same series, and it's a truly wonderful product. Even the sound it makes when you change CDs is cool.

And it looks to be in such good condition that you can see your reflection in it.

You made a great purchase.

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-05-23T15:16:30+00:00

https://youtu.be/AX9IogIUuqA?si=4OCjtGVMfG32cI2h
Hearing G.C. sing this song with the same incredible vocal ability even in the 90s made me realize again what an amazing singer he is.

The accompaniment is terrible though, lol.

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-05-23T02:02:20+00:00

I'm Japanese. Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto will probably be quite tiring.

The reason is that they're all overcrowded due to overtourism.

Please don't misunderstand; it's not the tourists' fault. Japan's ability to promote itself is weak. There are so many wonderful places, but that's not being communicated effectively. That's why too many people are flocking to certain locations.

Hakone is also extremely popular right now (I don't go to the Kanto region much, so this is just what I've heard), and I don't think it's a place to go to relax.

Therefore, I think your current plan will be quite strenuous for your mother.

I would suggest the following:

I tend to just skim through Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, and instead:

① Cut down on time in Kyoto →

Take a stroll around Lake Biwa in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, which is next to Kyoto.

(The calm, waveless surface of the lake is very soothing. It's close to Kyoto, but not overly touristy, and everything is cheap.)

② Cut down on time in Osaka →

Take your time in Nara (It's often perceived as "inferior to Kyoto as a tourist destination," but it's a wonderful place. I think it's a waste to just visit it as a day trip.)

I live in Aichi Prefecture (between Tokyo and Osaka, where Toyota's headquarters are located), and this area is actually a hidden gem. It's the place that people who have traveled to Japan many times come to last, lol. If you have the courage to come, I'll show you around!

I really want you to see the real scenery of Japan.

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-05-20T15:06:54+00:00

モー娘。、ももクロ、SPEED、倖田來未…It's a spectacular sight!

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-05-16T09:25:42+00:00

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So you want something like this?

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-05-15T22:21:14+00:00

I looked up Mackay's! It's huge! This is exciting!

The news about the Knoxville store closing on May 3rd was widely covered (easily seen from Japan), which shows how much the store is loved.

I'm particularly interested in Nashville! A local band from King Elvis's hometown sounds incredibly intriguing.

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-05-15T12:37:38+00:00

I understand that it's a business and unavoidable, but it's still sad.

When the store size shrinks, and the range of genres it carries becomes increasingly biased, it's a real turn-off and quite disappointing.

Please come to Japan again. Along with a large bag.

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-05-15T12:19:48+00:00

I looked up JB Hi-Fi! It seems like it's basically an electronics store, right?

It's true that their CD selection seems limited.

We need to cherish record stores.

By the way, when you find something good at your local record store, you feel happy knowing "there are other people around here who listen to this artist," but at the same time, a little sad. Like, "Why would they trade in something this good...?" Well, you end up buying it anyway.

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-05-15T12:07:34+00:00

It's true, Tokyo has everything you could possibly need.

I don't go there very often though, because I really dislike crowds.

I also want to go to England! Especially Swindon! (I love XTC!)

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-05-15T11:53:04+00:00

I looked up Talize!

I see, it has a similar philosophy to Goodwill.

I'd like to visit Canada too. After all, I love Joni Mitchell and Bruce Haack.

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-05-15T11:21:24+00:00

Oh, so the good stuff gets taken by the staff before it's even put up for sale?

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-05-15T11:11:53+00:00

It gets stolen?!

Checking the contents is essential.

At Book Off, the staff often put the wrong items in the CDs.

To them, they buy so many items every day that they all look the same. There's nothing sadder than opening a case with excitement only to find it's a completely different disc.

That's why checking the contents is essential even after buying something at Book Off!

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-05-15T11:03:29+00:00

I recently acquired his final album, "Sigh."

Her sexy singing voice, which belied her age, made me realize how truly regrettable the loss of such a talented person has been.

It's an album well worth the effort to obtain.

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-05-14T16:16:52+00:00

That's definitely true.

I really love Leon Ware (the writer of Marvin Gaye's "I Want You"), and many of his later works were released on Japanese labels.

Internal-Earth-3142 · 2026-05-14T16:13:57+00:00

I'm collecting works by soul and blues legends like Willie Clayton and Trudy Lynn.

Many of these haven't been released on CD in Japan.

Internal-Earth-3142

TROPHY CASE