Photo/Illutration Colorful carnations are available at a flower shop in Maebashi on May 9, Mother’s Day. (The Asahi Shimbun)

Eiki Fukuda, 64, a pasture researcher, led a life on the move as his job brought him to Nasushiobara, Komoro, Morioka and Brazil, among other places.

He frequently wrote to his ailing mother who lived in his native Shimane Prefecture to cheer her up.

He made it a rule to begin his letter by saying: “This is my Xth letter this year.” Once, he sent more than 60 letters in a year.

He mainly wrote about things such as the changing of the seasons and the latest news about his family.

Sometimes he presented tanka short poems. “I bought more stamps/ For my letters to my mother/ Believing her life in her 80s will continue”

He received replies. His mother would ask him how he was doing in her local dialect, which brought him nostalgic pleasure.

The exchanges continued until she passed away five years ago at age 89.

Last autumn, Fukuda applied for the “Ippitsu Keijo Prize” (Drop-a-line award), known as Japan’s shortest-letter contest.

“As you said with a smile that you found pleasure in reading my letters, I bought 10 more stamps. Don’t go until I use them all.”

He polished the words as if he was talking to his mother. His entry was selected as one of the grand prize winners.

All in all, he sent 510 letters to his mother over nine years.

His elder brother lived in the family’s home prefecture, and his younger sister returned home to take care of their mother.

“I felt guilt about the way I left my brother and sister to care for our mother. Writing letters was the only way to be nice to my mother.”

Reading his letters to his mother reminded me of a poem composed by poet Hachiro Sato (1903-1973).

“Thanks to my mother, I am happy/ Thanks to my mother, I have a twisted mind/ Thanks to my mother, I have a supple mind”

May 9 is Mother’s Day. Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, we are still going through extraordinary days, finding it difficult to meet family members who live far away.

My mother, ailing and in her 80s, lives in my hometown. I have not seen her for nearly a year. I feel frustrated, as writing a letter and calling her once in a while are the only ways in which I can ask her how she is doing.

--The Asahi Shimbun, May 9

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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