Manuscripts

Amerikasen raikōzu

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Description: Sketch manuscript map shows Commodore Perry's fleet entering Edo bay, probably on the 8th of March, 1854, given that seven vessels are shown. The bay is roughly outlined, showing Perry's fleet in the center, as well as the location of major landmarks including the city of Edo, the towns of Futtsu and Tateyama near to the entrance to the bay, and the three heavily fortified artificial islands which stood in the bay close to the city of Edo. Text beside the second ship indicates this is Perry's vessel, text along the shoreline tells us which clan was defending that section of coastline.
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 8th of March 1854
Call number: mssHM 83876
Provenance: Purchased from Asia Bookroom, October 2019.
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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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Kairiku Okatame

Rare Books

Black and white karawaban published around the time of Perry's second expedition to Japan in 1854. Gives details of Japanese defense, shows a map of Tokyo Bay showing six of Perry's ships with the Tōkaidō Road running along the lower edge (includes 相模 [Sagami],武藏 [Musashi], 伊豆 [Izu], 安房 [Awa], 上總 [Kazusa] and 下總 [Shimōsa]); and a large illustration of one of the Black Ship steamers with an inset portrait of an armed American in uniform. The text details all of the Japanese clans mustered for defense, along with their family crests. Although undated, it appears to be reporting the events of 8th of March, 1854 when seven of Perry's ships entered Tokyo Bay. The text describes three steamships and four "brigado" or sailing ships.

647771

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Ikokusen toraiki keibi haichi zumaki, 1853?

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 fiefdom 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 responsibilities 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

Amerikasen raikōzu

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Perī Uraga raikō kawaraban [manuscript]

Kairiku Okatame

Ikokusen toraiki keibi haichi zumaki, 1853?

Japanese anti-Christian manuscript

Charles A. Sumner letter to Adolph Heinrich Joseph Sutro

Quaestio quodlibetica, or, a discourse whether it may bee lawful to take use for money: manuscript