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Matsumi Kanemitsu
800 Traction Ave., #6
Lose Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 626-6143
July 18, 1990

Dear Sara,

     I was delighted to hear from you. I just returned from Japan (Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Tokyo) -- and such bad weather, it's the monsoon season. Anyway, I saw my 90-year-old mother in Hiroshima. When I passed the Okayama train station I thought about Yasu and you. Okayama to Hiroshima is only 40 minutes by train. I wanted to stop by the new Okayama Museum but on this trip I just couldn't make it. Someone sent me a catalog of Yasu that was sponsored by Nippon TV.

     Last year in late September for three weeks I was also in Japan and I'll go again October 6 because I'm having a print show of 1961-1990 lithographs at Nagoya Gallery... the opening is October 8 and runs through October 22. Then I have a show in Hiroshima from October 25 to 30, and in Osaka from November 3 to 17. I might be stuck in Japan from October 7 to November 10. If there's any chance that we can meet there please let me know how to contact you. If you need me for interpreting or anything please also let me know.

     I called Sueo last night and he said that he is sending you photographs (not Yas' photos but those of Sueo's friend who took photos of Yasu 1942-43?). Also, he said he has a pen drawing from Yasu. He now lives in Idyllwild. The place is kind of like Woodstock.

     On my last visit to New York I saw Jenkins; I was his best friend until he married his third wife. I don't know what it is, I just can't open my heart to him. Something is wrong between us. He is supposed to be my son Paul's godfather.

     I haven't seen Dan Maloney for 14 years. He's always been funny and witty, since student days. I love him. 

     I remember that in 1952 I presented two drawings to Yasu, one to Sternberg and one to Auston. The two drawings you donated to the Metropolitan Museum are dated 1963 and 1964. I left New York in 1965 for Los Angeles, and before I left I stopped by MOMA to say good-bye to the drawing and print curator, William Lieberman. At that time I left two drawings (with notes attached for you saying good-bye) and these are the works the Met has. 

     My memory isn't that good (not like Herman Cherry or Karl Fortes) -- but I do recall Yas having an original sketchbook of Hokusai as well as Yas' erotic drawings in his Fourteenth Street studio. I think someone must have