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Mukul
Dey's Letter from Sankeien
English Translation and Facsimile
Yokohama
19.6.16
Facsimile of Mukul Dey's letter |
Dear Father,
Couple of days ago we came here from Tokyo. Gurudeva and the others
have arrived as well. We are staying with a very famous Japanese
millionaire here. The sea (Pacific Ocean) is just in front of this
house. Across the sea is America. Steep and big cliffs rise from
the shoreline. These are thickly covered with pine trees. On top
of such a cliff, amid the rows of pine trees, is the palatial complex
where we are staying. These houses are made of log and of Japanese
architecture. However, there are Chinese rooms and houses in this
very complex as well. Astonishingly tidy and well kept. A little
to the side of this house there is a terrace on a terrace where
one can take a stroll. At the edge of the roof are rows of pine
trees. During dawn and dusk we stroll on this terrace.
One can see Mt. Fuji from this place. Mt. Fuji is a landmark of
Japan. The sunsets are beautiful these days. I have never seen such
beautiful sunsets in my life; the sky gets drenched in a dripping
golden glow. And from the east comes Lady Dusk with a thin blue
veil pulled over her face.
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The common man can visit his garden at their
will and organize picnics here. For them Mr. Hara provides
firewood, good stoves and water.
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We are living royally with Gurudeva. Lots of servants and maids
around. All of them eager to serve us. This wealthy man, Mr. Hara,
with whom we are staying, is a superb host. He is full of kindness.
The common man can visit his garden at their will and organize picnics
here. For them Mr. Hara provides firewood, good stoves and water.
In his garden there are places where people can sit down and rest…many
teahouses and temples, all are here.
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This Mr. Hara lets his money flow for the
sake of his country's art. All the great artists of Japan…
receive generous patronage from him.
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This Mr. Hara lets his money flow for the sake of his country's
art. All the great artists of Japan… Mr. Taikan, Mr. Shimomura
Kanzan receive generous patronage from him. They receive unstinted
support from him in exchange of their paintings. Mr. Hara has a
great passion for art.
Presently, Mr. Hara and his family are living in a thatched house
on the bank of a large lotus pond, at the foot of the hill. And
he has given us this palace-like house to stay. He had allotted
me a separate room to do my paintings, and provided me with all
the necessary art materials. He is a wonderfully marvelous man.
Probably, I would be accompanying Gurudeva to America. A berth
has been reserved for me already. Mr. Andrews will go back to India.
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Gurudeva is very busy writing lectures, he
would be getting a lot of money in America.
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While in Tokyo I was taking lessons from Mr. Taikan. A little distance
from this house, in the city of Yokohama, lives Mr. Shimomura. I
would be taking lessons from him at his place. Gurudev is very busy
writing lectures, he would be getting a lot of money in America.
All of us are keeping very well.
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From their childhood they handle this brush,
no wonder they paint so well. Whereas, we spend years just
to tame the brush alone.
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The Japanese people use this paper to write letters. And the brush
I am writing with is their pen. From their childhood they handle
this brush, no wonder they paint so well. Whereas, we spend years
just to tame the brush alone.
My respect to you all. My respect to other elders as well.
Yours obediently, Mukul Dey
P.S.: I hope you would keep these letters. They would be useful
in future.
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