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After
a long time Elizabeth had the wish to tell us a little about
Japan: "We were in Bombay, when mother suddenly fell
ill with a terrible fever and pains in the head. This
affected her eyes and she could hardly see. We were told
that this was 'Bombay fever' and the only way to get rid of
it was to leave India immediately. So we booked ourselves on
a ship which was leaving for Japan and we were very glad
that this was to be our destination, as my mother had always
wanted to go there.
A young Indian friend, whose family was in Kobe, gave
a letter of introduction to us. When we reached the harbour
to embark, I felt as we went up the gangway that my feet
were dragging and wanted to go backward instead of forward.
There I stood half way up, tears beginning to flow, when I
noticed my mother's face appealing to me to come. Realising
that we were sailing because of her illness, I pulled myself
together and crossed on to the ship, with a strange feeling
that I had left my life behind. I felt much better, though,
by the time we reached Colombo, as my mother's fever
disappeared within a very short time.
We went via Singapore, Hongkong and Shanghai and
arrived in Japan in time for the cherries but not the
cherry-blossoms. Landing in Kobe, our first experience was
an astounding one. There we were with no knowledge of the
language, in the customs shed with all our luggage around
us, including about eight/nine large boxes of paintings. How
were we to explain that they were only paintings. We need
not have worried.
Japanese
actor playing Buddha
A customs officer opened one case, and as soon as he
saw what it contained, he began taking out the pictures,
very carefully and delicately. His whole expression changed
and he became very affable and attentive, as soon as we told
him that they were our own work. 'Ekaki san!' He said to his
colleagues, and to our great surprise in a short time the
whole customs shed had become an art exhibition with all our
paintings!
Everybody stopped working, including the porters,
loaders, and dock hands, and gathered round the shed to
admire the paintings. With such a keen interest. It really
surprised us. Even the humblest worker seemed to be an art
connoisseur."
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