Frank Lloyd WRIGHT (1867–1959). 2 letters “Frank,” Tokyo and - Lot 250

Lot n° 250
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Result : 1 319EUR
Frank Lloyd WRIGHT (1867–1959). 2 letters “Frank,” Tokyo and - Lot 250
Frank Lloyd WRIGHT (1867–1959). 2 letters “Frank,” Tokyo and Kyoto, June 9 and 11 [1917], to his wife Miriam in Ikao; 1 page, quarto, on “The Imperial Hotel” letterhead, and 2 pages, quarto, on “The Miyako Hotel” letterhead, with envelopes; in English. Letters to his second wife during his stay in Japan for the construction of the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. Tokyo, June 9. He encloses letters for acquaintances, to whom he wants to tell the truth, hoping to smooth things over as much as possible. He does not mention his loneliness or his feelings to her: she knows what they are (“I will not write you of my loneliness here nor of my feelings. You must know well what they are”). He sends her films, and if he goes to Yokohama tomorrow, he will send her a box of truffles, knowing that she loves them… Kyoto, June 11. “To the woman by my side.” He sends her gifts, which are less treacherous and less ambiguous than words (“A few little presents instead of words—they are less treacherous and ambiguous”): gilded lacquer boxes, a few pieces of rare, antique brocade from the Keijo period, to be used as a turban, which will lend its beauty to enhance hers—he imagines it crowning her hair with bronze and glorifying her beautiful face. There has never been, nor will there ever be, another like her (“to be used for a turban for ‘the woman’ in such a way as to yield its beauty to enhance hers without harm. I imagine it crowning her bronze hair and glorifying her lovely face. There was never, nor will there ever be, another like it"). He also sends her a box of antique hairpins from the Tokugawa period… He knows she’d prefer money, but he’s here to pay his bills, and he’s been careful not to give her any cash (a reference to Miriam’s morphine addiction). It’s very, very hot, but the Miyako is so much more pleasant in the summer!… Nothing can express his regret for who he is and his shame for what he does. He thinks his talent has robbed him of himself, and it’s good that he’s finally face to face with himself. And it is when his desire is strongest that he is alone. It is when his money is gone that he needs it most (“I feel that no words of mine can show my regret for what I am and shame for what I do. I guess my talent has screened me from myself all along. It is well that I have come face to face with myself unequivocally at last. And when my need is greatest, I am alone. When my money is gone, I need it most”)… Tonight he returns to his deserted room…
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