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NAKAHASHI : 1939 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT WORLD WAR II DIARY HANDWRITTEN BY A LONELY, INTROSPECTIVE, PHILOSOPHICAL JAPANESE SOLDIER STRICKEN WITH MALARIA RECOVERING IN CHINA

32mo - over 4" - 5" tall. On offer is a very unique original manuscript Japanese World War II diary handwritten by a hospitalized soldier, perhaps even a doctor, date March to September, Showa 14 [1939]. Over 68 pages of entries we learn that Mr. Nakahashi contracted malaria in China and was sent to hospitals in Nanking and then Shanghai to recover. His ordeal with the illness with wartime China as the backdrop makes for a unique perspective of the start to the conflict. We also learn he is a soldier, philosopher, devoted husband and overall a wonderful diarist. Here are snippets: April 18 The life in hospital is boring as usual, but it can't be helped. Mr. Tanimura brought some package from Mr. Hirata. I was glad so I sent a thank you letter. Yamanaka came to see me as usual. 19 I sent a card to my kid. ---day seems to get closer for him (her). I wonder what's gonna happen. 21 The patients at army hospital are different from the hospital in Tanchi(?) 26 This is a very beautiful morning. The view from this second floor is beautiful like a painting. I hear the mental patient from downstairs saying something loud. I feel sorry for him. Some young people came to see patients in women hospital. Life is a fate but we can make an effort as well. 27 I feel very sick, probably because of medicines. Yamanaka went back to the army and we talked about our hometown everyday so I miss it very much. I wish I was well, I can't believe I'm in the hospital; is God up there laughing at me or punishing me? I feel lonely. I read -ko (his wife)'s letter thoroughly today. 10 or more planes in the sky all day today. Here seems same as my hometown. I want to go home but feel like not going back. After dinner Mr. Nakano gave me the letter from-ko. Her letter is very considerate. I feel nothing but grateful to have her as my wife. I miss Yamanaka. Someone who has left is always missed and loved. 30 I had a hard time to sleep last night. I heard the scream of a mental patient and saw a beautiful moonlight from the window. I also had a strange and unpleasant dream; the woman I know died and the dream was so vivid. I still can recall the dream. I write this diary but it's meaningless because the life here never changes. No changes but today never comes back. May 2 Sad news ; Sasaki passed away. I was very surprised. I feel fragility of life. I can't believe my friend who was well and worked with me died. I feel sorry for his wife too. I heard she is having baby this month. 7 I was sent to Nankin by a hospital ship. The air seems different from the one 4 months ago. 14 I had an order to be sent to Shanghai today. This was pleasant hospital. July15 I'm getting sick of this hospital life in Shanghai hospital. Even if it's too boring, I know I can deal with it when I want some hope and think about improvement in the future, but I don't feel like it, so I stop writing this diary for a while. August 26 The result of medical check said I'm recovered completely from my illness. I think about all I've done for it and I feel speechless. September 1 I've decided to write this diary from today once again. It might be useful in the future. It is a beautiful fall morning. I feel like studying. I guess my health is the most important thing.' The diary also includes some ephemera: "- I live with gratitude. People who appreciate everything from every single thing on earth don't have any complaint. Work for not yourself but society and others. - Live within income. If outcome gets more than income, it's like you are putting things into a bottomless bag. Have a simple and appropriate life. - Try to get along with family. If you have money, save the money. Don't gamble. Don't have a bad habit. - Don't pretend to be someone you are not. If you do, you only suffer from things. - Don't have a debt. Saving is the stairs for success. Having debt is the stairs you are going down to the bottom. - Have a strong sense of independent and self respect. Don't have a dependent heart. - Don't be "a 3 days monk". We tend to quit something in 3 days. Be patient as "3 years even on a small rock". - Be calm when you are rushing. There is honor when you don't fight. - Don't regret the past, don't worry the future. Do your best to do your present work. - Patience is base of… Think anger as an enemy. The diary measures 3 X 5 1/3 inches. Overall G.. Japanese Language. Book Condition: Good

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