Letters to Kikuko Noda and Mizuko Noda from Kiyoko Matsuura and Yoshihiko Matsuura, September 5, 1944; January 1, 1945; April 30, 1949

Three letters written from Kiyoko Matsuura (nee Noda) and her son, Yoshihiko, to family members in Lima, Peru updating them on life in the Crystal City incarceration camp as well as inquiring about her family members’ well-being. All three letters are in Japanese.

Letter 1: Yoshihiko Matsuura to Kikuko Noda, May 20, 1944

In this letter, Yoshihiko, Kiyoko's son, is writing to his grandmother, Kikuko, in Lima, Peru. He includes recent updates in his day-to-day life, such as performing in a play, marching in the camp's marching band, and attending an event put together by the Boy Scouts of America to celebrate the birthday of the Emperor Showa (April 29th).

Letter 2: Kiyoko Matsuura to Mizuko Noda, September 5, 1944

In this letter, Kiyoko writes to her sister, Mizuko, who is living in Lima, Peru. Kiyoko tells Mizuko to thank their father for the money he gave her and tells her sister that she is anxiously waiting for a ship to take her to Japan, but she is worried about how her newborn daughter, Kuniko, will fare on the long journey. She also gives her condolences regarding an uncle who has passed away and inquires about her sister’s lunch routines and new house.

Letter 3: Kiyoko Matsuura to Kikuko Noda, January 26, 1945

In this letter, Kiyoko writes to her mother, Kikuko. Kiyoko thanks her mother for the gifts she received for herself, which included some yarn, for her baby, which included a kimono, baby sweater, and a baby rattle, and for the rest of her family. She wishes her mother a happy New Year and tells her about how they had o-toso, a spiced sake traditionally consumed on New Year’s Day. The letter also indicates that Kiyoko was living in the camp with her husband, Saburo Matsuura, her baby, Kuniko, her daughter, Atsuko, and her two sons, Yoshihiko and Mitsuki.