Manuscripts
Amerikasen raikōzu
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Perī Uraga raikō kawaraban [manuscript]
Rare Books
Manuscript copy of a black and white kawaraban or news-sheet showing the defenses around Edo Bay against Commodore Perry's arrival in 1853. The manuscript closely resembles an exisiting karwaraban printed around 1853, but this copy lacks any woodgrain/imprinting physical evidence. Additionally, large flat areas are rendered in multiple colors of ink and brushstrokes and several inscriptions appear to be written and not cut/impressed. The names of the commanding lords, their location and numbers along with family crests and banners are listed. According to the text, 468.897 troops were mobilised to defend Edo. Seven American ships are illustrated in the bay. The main ship is illustrated in detail, showing crew in the riggings, lookouts and smoke billowing from its funnels. An American sailor is also depicted in detail.
642498
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Ikokusen toraiki keibi haichi zumaki
Manuscripts
Scroll documenting Commodore Matthew C, Perry's first expedition to Japan in 1853. The scroll begins with a map showing the Pacific through Uraga Channel to Edo Bay, with the American squadron's route marked out in red. Japanese defense locations are also noted. Detailed notes on the size and types of the foreign ships are given and the number of cannon noted. Following the map are four official reports. "List of fiefdom lords' names who participated in the event of the foreign ships' arrival" is a firsthand account by Matsudaira Ecchu no kami about the first diplomatic encounters with Perry. "Advice to the local commissioners" is dated 12 June 1853 and recounts that four foreign ships were spotted from Otsu village, Miura Ward and Sagami province. The third report, is dated 9 June, and is written by five of the fiedom lords reporting their meeting with the Americans. The final report, "A list of fiefdom lords' troop strength" enumerates the number of troops at the disposal of 33 lords, and their reponsibilities in the event of an invasion.
mssHM 83968
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Japanese anti-Christian manuscript
Manuscripts
This manuscript describes a man named Hisa and a woman named Kame during the Edo (also known as Tokugawa) period in Japan. As part of the practice of shumon aratame, they had to stand on a fumi-e, a likeness of Jesus and Mary, to prove that they were not Christians. In the Edo period of Japan, the government used shumon aratame as part of an effort to eradicate Christianity.
mssHM 84473
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Charles A. Sumner letter to Adolph Heinrich Joseph Sutro
Manuscripts
Sumner writes of the 1862 efforts of Jacob Beideman of "defending his large real estate property rights in this city by a newspaper," and describes the results. Sumer writes of the political efforts of his group: "We saved every homestead in the city" from what he calls "an organized party of scoundrels; chief among them were the newspaper manipulators." With a brief printed biography of Sumner.
mssHM 26264
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Quaestio quodlibetica, or, a discourse whether it may bee lawful to take use for money: manuscript
Manuscripts
Treatise defending the paying of interest on money borrowed.
mssHM 43212
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M. Brown letter to "My Dear Sir,"
Manuscripts
This letter, written from Valparaiso, Chile is dated March 7, 1849. M. Brown wrote it on board the USS Independence to a former shipmate aboard the USS Ohio stationed in San Francisco Bay. In the letter, Brown discusses difficulties in Chile, life aboard Commodore Shubrick's vessel, naval politics and news from the rest of the fleet in the Pacific.
mssHM 81273