Dear Readers,

Today, I worked with Ron-san to translate some papers of an old Pilot pen. This is the 1930's Pilot Nomu Shiki. A rather interesting pen that sucks ink from a bottle without the use of a lever or a piston. Interesting, even for me. With the information Ron-san is writing an article for Pentrace. He said it is long over due.

The information about the pen was a little interesting, but what was more so for me was that Ron-san had several examples of this pen in his collection. One of these pens has the words "To my darling son" I imagine this was a gift to a young boy. The boy was probably

sent to war. I have a friend named Nana who has a boyfriend in the Japanese self defense forces. He may have to go to Iraq as one of the Japanese soldiers. Nana is very nervous about this these days. I feel much sympathy for her. This pen reminded me that Nana is not the first person to have these same feelings. We have had many wars before Iraq. Hopefully we can learn from these and prevent them in the future, but that may be too much to ask for human natures.

It is raining very hard in Okinawa again today. I wish it would stop.

On the bright news for today. I received another letter from my sister, Hitomi. We are enjoying letters greatly these days. We still talk on the phone often, but the letters are special. We can say many things in letters that we are uncomfortable to say on the phone. Additionally, I can re-read the letters whenever I like and that keeps me happy despite the foul weather.

I should buy my sister a new fountain pen, but I am not a rich girl. I would like to buy another new pen for myself.

No. Someone asked me in an e-mail if I am a native to Okinawa. I am from Hodogaya. A small place outside of Yokohama. I went to school in Okinawa because I do not like the cold. I like the warm Okinawa sun. I wish it would come out.

Sincerely

Meg

meg@kamakurapens.com