Manuscript on paper, entitled “Izoku torai kengi utsushi” [“Copy of Responses Regarding the Arrival of...
One brush & ink illus. in the text. 7.5 leaves of text. 8vo (240 x 168 mm.), orig. wrappers (the inside of the lower wrapper is used for text), stitched as issued. Probably Edo: letters dated 1853-54.
After Perry presented his letters of demands during his first visit to Japan in 1853, copies were made and distributed by Masahiro Abe (1819-57), the chief senior councillor to the shogunate, to daimyo and senior bakufu officials throughout the country, seeking opinions regarding the proper response to the Americans.
The first four pages of this most fascinating manuscript contain the response of Toshiyasu... More