Papers (1916-1933) consisting of correspondence, one typescript news release, account of daily activities, letters, vital statistics, Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Clarence E. Norman was an American missionary for the United Lutheran Church of America who worked in the prefecture of Kumamoto, Japan, from 1919 to at least 1930. During this period he returned to America once, in 1924, for a stay of about a year. Mr. Norman was accompanied to Japan by his wife, Lottie, and their young daughter, Rebecca.
Most of the correspondence is written by Mr. Norman but occasionally there is a letter written by Lottie and even one piece of correspondence from young Rebecca. Other correspondence includes three letters from J. M. S. Winshor (1933) and one from a Miss Shirk (1933).
Generally, most of the correspondence consists of routine information. Accounts of daily activities, such as who came to dinner, excursions to the parks and countryside, health of the family, and travel are all included in these narratives.
However, there are several letters which carry more weight. Most notable among these is the November, 1919, letter that comments extensively on Japanese prostitution. Included in the text are remarks on the prostitutes' appearance, how Japanese women begin such a life, and the inevitable consequences.
Other letters discuss a Japanese prisoner's treatment while incarcerated (Dec., 1926); the number of locals converted to Christianity (Feb., 1927); and, following the worst typhoon in forty years, the local devastation and the vital statistics quoted from a local Japanese newspaper (July, 1930).
Also included is a report from the seventh annual meeting of the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church held in Arima, Japan.
Gift of Reverend Clarence E. Norman
Processed by H. Warren, March 1981
Encoded by Apex Data Services
Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.