Dear People of the World (formerly Dear Americans)

A story of Japanese woman who experienced Bauhaus art and love romance in Berlin, early 1930's when Nazis came to power.

Please read Introduction first.  

Masako went back to the entrance hall to get out of this building. She was very much dissappointed because new love she might be getting was lost. She didn't want to be heart-broken any more. She wanted to leave this place as soon as possible. Peter was wrong man and gave her bitter experience.

She heard the noize from the party hall. People were shouting.
"Heil, Hitler!" "Heil, Fuhrer!"
What was going on? She wondered so she just stopped by the party hall which was next to the dining room where she joined the dinner with Nazi officials.
The atmosphere in the hall was like being in a fanatic ritual. She was attracted to the event happening. Tens of people in the room were looking at one man. A man with mustasche. She knew who he was. He had been famous in Deutcheland. She saw his photo on newspaper. His name is Herr Adolf Hitler, leader of National Socialist Party, largest party in Deutchland Republic Parliament.

He was wearing uniform and standing in front of his comrades raising right hand. It was known as Nazi way of salute. Hitler was with a young woman. Seemed like his wife but she seemed very unpleasant. She wondered what happened. She heard people chatting.
"Oh, Frau Eva and Fuhrer seemed to have some kind of quarrels, didn't they?"
"Maybe because Fuhrer has been too busy to take care of his lover during national speech campaign. Frau Eva is always frustrated with his enthusiasm towards politics. Poor girl, she's got most busiest and popular man in Deutschland."
She learned Hitler was a single man. Oh, such a popular and highly positioned man is still single and he seems not so young to be single.
Suddenly all the people in the hall became silent. The record on the phonograph was played.
The tune was Deutschland anthem. As soon as it started, all the people stood up still and raised their right hands. Masako just followed their action led by the atmosphere. She thought she had to because she was invited here.
"Deutcheland, Deutcheland uber alles, uber alles in der Welt...."

 

When she finished singing with other people, she felt boiled just like others being totally blended in this place. It was as though she was saluting to the emperor, Hirohito.
Hitler started speech.

 
"Everyone, we are getting closer and closer to new era. Although we got most seats among parliament members, I haven't yet appointed to be Chancellor. Seems like President Hindenburg has been stubborn or manipulated by morally decayed slobs. But we can get over it. We will! People in Deutcheland are responding to our voice. I can hear them."
People clapped. Masako did not fully understand what he meant but she just followed others and clapped. She just understood how passionate he and people in this hall were. She was really impressed.
Young officer replaced a record on the phonograph with other one. He then played it.
The music was waltz.

 
"I feel like dancing with someone" said Hitler. There were several women in the hall including Masako and Eva. Eva still looked very unpleasant and in fact she was wearing a casual cloth that did not suit waltz. Hitler did not even glance at her and looked around.
Masako found him coming up to her. Masako was surprised.
"Excuse me, Fraulein. May I dance with you?" The crowd got fuss over his action. Masako was surprised, too. Hitler known to be most nationalist or racist man in Deutschland was asking her to dance with him. But she had no reason to refuse. That was most honorable offer to her.
"Yes, I would love to, Fuhrer" said Masako smiling.
Surely, Masako knows how to dance waltz. She learned ballroom dancing since her childhood as part of high-society education. She danced very well like she did Japanese traditional dance.
"May I have your name, Frau? Where are you from?" said Fuhrer holding her hand and shoulder.
"Ich heisse Masako. I am from Japan."
"Gut, I know your country very well. A country of Samurais and Geishas."
"Yes. Fuhrer." Typical knowledge, she thought.
"You country has greatest civilization. Your country industrialized the country in a very short period of time. Your country created one of strongest military in the world. Your country's military beat Russian empire. Japan has never been defeated in war since the establishment of the country. It is fascinating thing. No other country could ever have done such thing."
"Yes, I am glad you give compliments to our country like this. Our country has learned so many great things from Deutschland. Today's modernised Japan owes a lot to your country."
"Oh, yes. Japan and Deutschland are united some way although we have a big distance. I think in the future the two countries can have good alliance. 
Hitler smiled and Masako was delighted. As the crowd saw their beautiful and well-balanced dancing, more couples joined dancing.

After the party, when she was leaving the building with joy, she heard voice of the men talking on the corridor. That was heard from the narrow open door. "You are the best man in my team. I adore you. Soon enough you can lead another coup with me. That guy shouldn't be the leader of this country." "Yes, Captain." She knew who they were. But she was sort of drunk and did not care what they were talking about.  

Next morning at Bauhaus school, she told what happened to Marcus except breaking up with Peter. She told him how delighted and welcome she was. The officers of Nazi told her as long as Masako was one of the students of Bauhaus. They would not touch Bauhaus. 
"You see, Nazi people are gentlemen. They can understand. They are not racist, neither is Herr Hitler."
Marcus responded "You are just fooled by them. I don't think Hitler really treated your people as he said to you while dancing. Why don't you read the book he wrote?"
Marcus handed her a book titled "Mein Kampf (My Struggle)."
He opened one chapter, "Aryan race as creator of culture"

 
She started to read and found some sentences related to Japanese.
"Japan did not acquire European culture into their culture. Japan just decorated European culture in their own way. It is not Japanese culture they created. It is what European created."
"If European culture died out, Japan without its own culture would soon die out. In that sense Japanese are never creator of culture but can only be supporter of culture."
Meaning Japanese are just copying western culture to exist? Her people are inferior to Europeans.
"I cannot believe it. Is it what he really wrote?" Masako was surprised.
"Yeah, he wrote the book when he was in prison almost 10 years ago. He was convicted of treason after provoking the coup which he and his comrades failed. That is his political statement" said Marcus/
"But he was so nice to me. He asked me to dance with him."
"Yeah, I think he liked you because he thought you were very useful. But don't get shocked. He is in fact much milder to you than the other people. Read this chapter, please."
Marcus flipped pages and opened another chapter.
"Jews are parasites." She then read the chapter.

 
"Jews are parasites who are always searching for hosts. Once they parasite on host's body. They just spread themselves on that and finally exterminate the host body. They intruded and lived in other nation and created their own nation within that state. When they find they get the power to protect themselves, they appear as what no one wants to recognize, "Jews." "
She was very shocked.
"How horrible he wrote! Jews? Those people should be offended when they read that. I cannot imagine how angry they are being insulted like this!"
"I am not angry at all. After all, they are demagogues and they use such words to attract attention from public. Such demagoguery has been done for many generations since our people immigrated. That is not big surprise" said Marcus vigorously.
"Marcus, does that mean you are Jew?" asked Masako.
"Yes. I am Jew" Marcus answered.

Continued to Chapter 6.

A story of Japanese woman who experienced Bauhaus art and love romance in Berlin, early 1930's when Nazis came to power.

 

Please read introduction first.

On next day, when she was going out to have lunch after morning class was over, she met Peter at the entrance of school building.
"Hallo, Peter" she greeted.
Peter smiled to her holding a rose in his hand. He stood beside a black car wearing uniform and swastika.
"I just came here to invite you to a dinner party held at Nazi Berlin office."
Peter said handing her the rose. Peter was very pleased with the rose.
"Danke schonn. I am free tonight. I'd love to go. What kind of dinner party is it going to be?" asked Masako.
"You can meet high ranking people of our Storm Troopers (SA) and Nazis. You can persuade them to continue studying at this school."
Peter replied with confidence.
"How sweet of you. Yes, I am sure I can persuade them."
Peter was confident, too.
"I will pick you up tonight around 8 o'clock. Meet here and I'll take you."
Peter went back to the black car.
"You shouldn't be there tonight. Nazis wouldn't treat you so well."
Marcus Weiss suddenly spoke standing just next to her. She was surprised he saw the two talking.
"Meister, I can help this school. I will ask them not to disturb us any more" said Masako.
"I don't think you can. They are racist and dangerous. They wouldn't listen to people like you."
"I mean, Japanese woman?" Masako asked.
"Well, we, Bauhausler. They hate us. They are the people of intolerance" said Marcus.
"Believe me, Meister. I can make a magic" said Masako looking at him fiercely.
"Well, do what you want. It is free country. But be careful."
Marcus said worryingly.
"Don't worry. I will be careful" said Masako.
"Please tell me how the party is later. I want to know what they are thinking."
"Of course. I will inform you to help this school."

After school Masako bought a dress on the main street and took a shower at her apartment.
She dressed up as she does as a upper class girl. She put make-up and wore a neckless and earings. She was very excited being with Peter and seeing Nazi people.

Masako went to the school entrance around 8 o'clock. Peter was already there. The two got in the car and drove to Nazi Party Building. Nazi Party was largest political entity in Deutcheland under Weimar Republic.

The dinner party, attended by Masako, Peter, some of SA officials including Captain Ernst Rohm and Nazi officials including Chairman of the Parliament Hermann Goring started with soft atmosphere.

"Guten Abend, everyone. Tonight we invited a very beautiful lady from far east. Fraulien Masako Chikano. She is a daughter of Baron Chikano in Japan. She is now studying as a Bauhaus student here in Berlin. Tonight if we are lucky, our fuhrer would visit this place. He is coming back here from nationwide speech campaign trip" said Goring.
She was delighted being at the table. People looked at her smilingly. She sat next to Peter and in front of Goring and Captain Rohm. Goring and Rohm looked very powerful middle age gentlemen to her. She felt very excited. Rohm said he came here from Munchen, where SA headquarter is.
"I do not understand why such a beautiful peer lady like you came here all the way from Japan to study that nonsense art. You have many other things to learn here in this country" said Rohm drinking beer.
"I agree with you, Captain. Germany has many wonderful things to learn. My family admires German culture science, philosophy and all other things. My father studied in Bonne University. I learned German since I was small by a German tutor at home. I enjoy German opera such as Lohengrin and Parsifal. Japan acquired so many things from Germany such as imperial constitution and military expertise. I would like to learn any sort of things from Germany."
Masako replied very gently and politely.
"Surprised. Your country is so far away from our land. How come you can be interested in us. We don't have things in common, do we. Are we bonded together somehow?" said Goring curiosly.
"Well,"
Masako thought of how to respond to his question for a while and then she looked at Nazi flag, Swastika hanged on the wall.

"Maybe that flag can explain how we are common" said Masako.
"Flag, Swastika?" said Goring looking at her strangely.
"Yes, that flag reminds me of our nation" said Masako.
"Interesting. Explain that to us" said Goring. All of attendees at the table looked at her curiosly.
Masako explained in confidence.
"The flag has white circle in red. Our flage is opposite, red circle in white. But the same shape. Plus that crossing of two bent lines is familiar to us. It is used as symbol of Budhist temples, called "Manji." You can find anywhere in Japanese towns or cities. I am attracted to that flag just as Germans here are."

 

"Really? That crossing of bent lines, Hakenkreuz represents Aryan. We are Aryan, not Budhist or others. We preserve tradition. That is our way of living. All the Germans should follow. I do not think Bauhaus is part of such tradition."
Goring turned to be unfriendly. The atomosphere changed.
Masako didn't know how to react.

 
"Don't push her too hard, Goring. She is frightened. She is our guest. Jasper invited her as our welcome guest. Her explanation makes sense. The root of Aryan was India. That is where Budhism was born That is what she meant, isn't it" said Rohm. 
"Yes, Captain. That is what I mean. We are connected throught India" said Masako delightedly. She was relieved that an stubborn-type guy Ernst Rohm helped her. 

 
Goring smiled to her and the atmosphere changed.
"Well, I support your argument. Your attraction to our nation should be real one. I still don't get why you are studying Bauhaus but your being in this country certainly benefits us. I could witness a world's most stubborn guy turned to be a big lady lover. You did a great job" he said.
 

Some of the attendees laughed. She did not understand what was funny. She looked at Rohm. He looked embarassed. Then she looked at Peter sitting next to her. He looked embarrassed as well. She found out Captain Rohm did not try to help her but Peter.  
"Oh, no again!" she shouted in her mind.

To be continued to Chapter 4.

Japanese woman who experienced Bauhaus art and turmoil in 1930's Germany.

 

Please read from introdcution first.

She woke up and found herself lying on a sofa in a small room. The young man was in front of her watching her worriedly. She remembered after she collapsed, this man lifted her in his arms and took her body to this room. She really felt comfortable in his arms.
"Are you alright?" said the young man.
"Yeah, I am fine. I am sorry I lost conscious" Masako responded.
"Ich bin (I am) Peter Jasper. I am the leader of Storm Troopers Berlin Branch. Did you faint because of me and my subordinates coming into the classroom?"
The young man said apologetically.
"Mein name ist Masako Chikano. I am a student from Japan. Well, I was really shocked because my dream was almost breaking down."
"Your dream?" said Peter.
"Yes, it is to learn great art of Germany, this Bauhaus" said Masako.
"Bauhaus isn't German art. This is art of inmorality" said Jasper laughingly.
"I came all the way from Japan to start a new life here in Berlin" said Masako putting her hand on his shoulder.
"A beautiful woman like you can find something better than Bauhaus" said Jasper.
"But that is the only thing I can get. My final choice was here." Masako looked at Jasper very sadly. Jasper's face turned very apologetic.
"I don't want to see a sad face of such a beautiful woman like you. I guess our team can stay away from this school for the moment. Maybe I can do something to help you."
Jasper said smilingly. Masako was stunned. She trapped one German guy. She was delighted.
"Oh, Vier Danke! Peter. I am so glad. I owe you a lot. I can continue making my dream come true."
"But just one condition. This is temporary measure. Plus, I need something for return" said Jasper.
"Oh, what is it?" Masako asked.
"Why don't we have a date? Meet somewhere else alone later" said Jasper.
"Sure. Let's do that. I'd love to." Masako said that delightedly. She was really delighted. She made sure she got a new life here in Berlin.

Backside of the door of the room which the couple was in. Meister Marcus Weiss overhead the conversation between the two. Marcus was relieved and glad what she did.

Next day, at school, Meister Weiss spoke to the class.
"Today, we would like to show you a thing that can represent Bauhaus concept. Unification of art and technology. See this."
He showed Japanese fan. It was folded. Weiss looked at Masako. Masako was surprised to see it. Far away from Japan, she saw Japanese traditional good as very modern art prodcut. She wondered what he was trying to tell.
 
"This Japanese fan is very functional. It is folded compact but it can be open like this." Marcus opened the fan as he said that.
The students in the class were surprised to look at beautiful drawing of the fan. The drawing was traditional Japanese artwork.
Then Marcus said, "You not only enjoy the beauty of a fan but you can use it to blow the air."
He waved the fan to his face and said "How nice to use it in hot summer!"
Masako stood up from a chair and came up to Marcus. 
"Meister, I can show you other way to use this fan. Please hand this to me."
Marcus handed the fan to her. She took it and suddenly danced holding the fan in her hand.
That was traditional Japanese dance, Nichibu, usually done wearing in kimono. She wore a western casual clothe like other students but danced as she did in kimono. Flipping the fan, turning around like batterfly.
The class and Marcus were stunned to view her dancing. She knew how to dance since she was a child as part of upper class education.
After a few minutes, she stopped dancing, everyone in the classroom clapped their hands.
"Beautiful, Masako" said Marcus smiling.

She trapped two guys in Berlin.

To be continued to Chapter 3.
 

Japanese woman who experienced Bauhaus art and turmoil in 1930's Germany.

 

Please read introdcution first.

   

Th Bauhaus School was established by an architect Walter Gropius in Weimar, 1919. It was the first year of first democratic government in Germany. Then the school moved to Dessau in 1925. From 1925 to summer of this year, 1932, the school had been managed in glass-window wall and simple shaped building that symbolized Bauhaus's own architecture style.

 

But this year Dessau city council made a resolution to stop funding Bauhaus. Bauhaus had to relocate its base to Steglitz, Berlin as private school.

 

Director of the school, Herr Ludwig Mies van der Rohe 46 year-old man spoke to 31 freshman students including Masako Chikano in the orientation on the first day of Winter Semester.

 

The school offered the courses such as art, architect, interior design, photograph and textile. In order to get a diploma, the students had to pass 3 levels of the curriculums. First level was to study basic concept of Bauhaus art. 

 

The very concept of Bauhaus was "unification of art and technology."

 

Masako could not understand that concept. How come art could be united with technology? She thought they should have been separate things. However, it did not matter to her. She just decided to enjoy life in Berlin, the most liberal city in the world. She wondered if she could be acquinted with better man than her ex-husband or his sworn brother. 

 

But at first she wanted to make good friends.
 
The school gathered students from all over the Europe. As days pass by, she made a lot of friends. They were nice and very friendly. One of the reason why she could make friends so easily was she was richest student among poor students. 

 

She lived in nice and big comfortalbe room in the apartment house near the school. She always wore very nice and expensive clothes which she brought from her home in Japan and bought in Berlin. 

 

One day she and her 3 classmates went to the cafe near the school. She ordered a cup of coffee. But they did not order anything although they were sitting at the same table. When the coffee came to the table, they took a spoon and dipper a spoon of coffee from the cup and blended in block sugar from the pot. 

 
She was suprised to see what they were doing. She said to them, "why don't you order anything?"
Each of them said "That's enough for us, Masako. You know we cannot afford."
Then she asked waitress to bring coffee for everyone. They were really pleased.

 

Her generousity attracted other more studens. She was always surrounded by sevearal classmates at school cafeteria, cafe, or restaurant. She sometimes hold a party for her friends.
She became a popular idol of the school. Actually not just because of her generousity but her beauty and cheerful character like she had been in Japan.

  

However, she was never a good student at school. She was not so serious about school work. She always thought art was just fun things. Not a thing to practice and get into like literature or mathematics. In fact she did not have ambition to become a great artist or craftman. All she wanted to was to spend a few years in Berlin and return home. The school days were like vacation for her. She knew the school would not kick her out because of her lazy attitude because her family was one of the biggest donor to the school.

 

One day in drawing class, the class drew the object, which was ball and vase. She was drawing an instructor, a man with black hair and glasses, tall thin, at the age of late 20's. He was Meister Marcus Weiss. His specialty was interior design but he teaches basic art to freshman students.
She drew his face like cartoon figure. She always did such things when she was a school girl in Japan. Drawing just lines of the objects seemed to her, very boring. She could not concentrate on doing that.

 

"Hallo, Fraulein, what are you doing?" Herr Weiss came to her seat and said to her.
"An art, Meister" she said laughingly.
"This isn't funny. Are you serious about doing this work?" Meister looked very upset.
She responded very arrogantly.
"Well, I thought this object seemed more artistic."
"I cannot tolerate such act of yours just because your family gave so much money to this school."
Herr Weiss shouted in the classroom. All of the classmates turned attention to her and their instructor.
Masako suddenly got shocked to see his angry face and very straightforward comment.

He embarrassed her in class. She was so ashamed.
"Oh, what am I going to do?" she got frightened.

 

Suddenly a big cracking noise was heard. Several men seemed to rush into school building.
What happened? She wondered and looked at Meister.

 

Meister Marcus Weiss said "Here they came again."

 

Then the door of the classroom opened. Several men in yellow-brown uniform got in.

They were holding bars in their hands.
"You, communists, morale decay!" they shouted.
Everyone stood up and got frightened. A young tall man with blonde hair looked a leader of the group.
Weiss shouted back "Get out here, Stupid! This is no place for Storm Troopers or Nazis."

 
A leader of the men laughed at Weiss and smashed the vase with a bar. A tension grew in the room. A tall blond haired man approached to where Masako and Weiss were. Masako stood and watched the man carefully. He was in yellow uniform with an arm badge which had black cross in white circle on red belt.

 

She looked at his face very carefully. He had very beautiful blue eyes. Very handsome man.
The man found Masako and looked at her surprisignly. They each had very good eye contact.

 

"Oh, my god!" she screamed in her mind. Then she fainted on the floor.

 

 

Continued to Chapter 2.