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I suppose that it would be almost too much to hope that no complications have arisen. If any have, I do hope that they have been resolved, and without headaches for you. The addition was looking so exciting when we left. Ben and I both love sculpture, and we have acquired several very fine large pieces and many small ones, always visualizing them in the new room. One piece couldn't be shipped from Bangkok, so we took it to Cambodia, but it couldn't be sent from there, so we carried it (by hand) to Viet Nam; not there either, so we thought, "Certainly Hong Kong!" But no, not at all. The problem seems to be that anything that looks oriental is suspected by the customs people of being Chinese. At last we have shipped the head-- and it's a beautiful one (we bought it for very little, and now we can see why) to France. Apparently there's no difficulty in bringing objects in through New York. Ben almost lost a shoulder in the process of carrying the piece everywhere..... all the better to appreciate it when it will at last be in place in the room. 

I am sure that we dont need to tell you how delighted we have been about gardens here. We have many great plans and expect to enjoy our small lot more than ever. Only here in Japan can one see what paradises can be created out of // handkerchief-sized pieces of earth. All that is needed is a little water, a few rocks, some seeds and a lot of imagination. As to seeds, I have been collecting everywhere. I may have to forfeit my collection... someone has told me that I will. But if I can salvage the seeds I will be happy to share them with you. Of course they are all tropical, but then one can use pots. Well, we will see.

We haven't yet called Marian's sister, but have been here only two days, so far, and the two have been pretty rushed. But we look forward to meeting her, and feel that she will probably be able to guide us to some places that the official people dont know exist.

If you have time to drop us a card, we will be very pleased. We will return to Kyoto from here, and will leave japan on March 22nd. (Japan Travel Bureau) Thence to Russia, with only a few days in India (I weep) Ben's exhibition will open in Amsterdam in June, and we will return home although another such exh. follows at the Hague and a third in Milan, but without us. Love to all,

Bernarda