Bunro Sakaino Concentration Camp Diary

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March 2 (Thursday)

The highest temperature today reached 56 degrees, and the first warm weather was reported. It was in the thirties in the early morning, so it is quite unpredictable weather.

Our elder Mr. Konoshita was hospitalized right after he arrived here and had been going through treatment, but he unexpectedly passed away at 9 p.m. yesterday. It was reported by Mr. Sakimura, who is his relative. The military police of the camp sent a telegram to his son when the elder was in a critical condition, and his son immediately came to visit. We heard he came back again to prepare for the removal of the family when the elder regained some stability.

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This elder is the third war victim among the fellow citizens living in the U.S.

About one hour this afternoon was the first and the most pleasant one we have ever had with silence all over the barrack. I wish we could have even only one hour of silence like this every day. I am reading a philosophy book authored by Bergson from the library thanks to Mr. Nakajo, but it is too noisy to be fully submerged in it. We have had one or two occasions of silence at the barrack in the past, but we had never had such a quiet time when we did not even hear anyone clearing his throat.

There is a possibility of a clothes moth infestation, and we were all busy dusting our clothes and airing them based on instructions given by an expert Mr. Matsuura.

Our barrack representative Mr. Horigami gave us a report on various items. We all quietly listened to him in our bed. His report is as follows:

Money sent by our family is held by the U.S. Marshall. 15 dollars per week can be distributed, therefore we need to make sure to submit our request every Friday.

A thank you letter in response to the letter from Ambassador Nomura was sent by Mayor Taoka through the Consul of Spain (San Francisco). Mayor Taoka sent a letter to express his disagreement with this detainee camp and his intention to raise an objection, but it was determined not to be mailed out and returned by the supervisor Mr. Collier. Our representative mentioned above recently sent a letter to the Consul General of Spain, and we received a reply by telegram to let us know that he is planning to visit us in the near future.

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We should have discussion and put our requests together, if any, to present them from the entire body of the barrack.

New policy was implemented to require everyone, not only who has one thousand dollars or over, to report the amount of cash possession. We should take necessary steps to report the remaining balance. The authority once sent out instructions that the requirement did not apply to detainees, but there has been a policy change this time.

Those who have not filed tax returns can fill out a form to meet with officers regarding the filing, if they wish, as they are coming next week.

We are requested not to bring our wool, silk and rayon garments to the cleaner facility. They could be damaged, and it is preferred to have them hand washed by the owner.