February 16, 1954 A Flower Arranging Class and Visiting Youth Facilities

Diary Entry:  Feb. 16, 1954

"Jane Teele & I went to first flower arranging class.  Took palm leaves, plum blossoms, narcissus & camellias.  Mrs. Yamauchi is the teacher of OHARA school.  She made various arrangements with our materials.  We took apart and made again.  She criticized.  Had coffee and cookies.  
Lunch at PX with Mrs. Grotejohn (Consulate).  Met Women's Club group at K.U. Church to go to see Youth Center--sort of a community center for young people.

Built by Methodist mission board, supported by 10 boards.  8 denominations.  New building composed of supervisor's apt., office, kitchen, hall with stage & sliding partition, reading room, prayer room, 2 large tatami rooms for o'night groups.  For group meetings, bring own leader, must have Christian leader or minister's recommendation, prepare own food & plan own program.  Plan tennis court & build a recreation area and landscape.  First 3 mos. period used by 770 young people.  Kitchen will feed 20 at a time.  Have army surplus chairs & tea cups so can accommodate about 150 for tea. Plot is 449 Suebo. (suebo = 2 tatami, tatami 3x6).

Left here and went to School for Feeble Minded in Mikage.  Dr. runs it, 90 children, 60 in dorms because live far off or family doesn't want them at home.  Very clean. Teach children a trade.  Gov't. says child must leave school at 18.  Often not ready.  Daily program like public school only go slower.  Group according to mental age.  Excellent art.  A 10 yr. old drew only chickens.  Only interest. Forgets school if sees one on way to school." 


NOTE:  The Japanese unit of measure for area is the tsubo, spelled phonetically in the diary.