Letters from Japan’s Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries
Letters from Japan’s Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries
Morgan Pitelka, Reiko Tanimura, Takashi Masuda
Cultural historians Morgan Pitelka and Reiko Tanimura partner with one of Japan’s premier experts in calligraphy and letter writing, Takashi Masuda, to translate and annotate twenty-three unique letters from the Age of Unification and early Edo period alongside images of the hand-brushed originals. Included is a biography of each letter’s author and in some cases the addressee, the context for its writing, and descriptions of relevant locations, individuals, and historical events mentioned therein.
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Title information
Cultural historians Morgan Pitelka and Reiko Tanimura partner with one of Japan’s premier experts in calligraphy and letter writing, Takashi Masuda, to translate and annotate twenty-three unique letters alongside images of the hand-brushed originals. Each letter is presented first in its original format as a brushed piece of calligraphy. The authors provide a transcription of the letter into Japanese, followed by an English translation. Next is a commentary with the biography of the letter’s author and in some cases the addressee, the context for its writing, and brief descriptions of relevant locations, individuals, and historical events mentioned therein. This book offers readers rare access in English to the voices of renowned historical figures from Japan’s Age of Unification and early Edo period.
Morgan Pitelka
Professor Morgan Pitelka teaches Japanese history and serves as the Chair of the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Ph.D. (East Asian Studies, Princeton University)
Reiko Tanimura
Dr. Reiko Tanimura teaches Japanese history and researches early modern culture at the Institute of Asian Cultural Studies, International Christian University, Tokyo.
Ph.D. (Comparative Culture, International Christian University)
Takashi Masuda
Dr. Takashi Masuda taught at and served as the president of Aichi Bunkyo University. An expert in Japanese literature, letters, and calligraphy, he currently teaches at Aichi Toho University.
Ph.D. (Japanese literature, Tokyo University of Education)
Letters from Japan’s Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries
Foreword vii
A Melodramatic Age 1
Morgan Pitelka
Letters as a Window on Culture 11
Reiko Tanimura
Musings on Letters 27
Takashi Masuda
A Brief History of Letters in Japan 37
Morgan Pitelka
1. Takeda Shingen (1521–1573), Warlord 43
2. Sen no Rikyū (1522–1591), Tea Master 51
3. Hosokawa Yūsai (1534–1610), Warlord and Tea Master 59
4. Inagaki Toshitsugu (late 16th c.), Vassal of Toyotomi Hidenaga 65
5. Furuta Oribe (1543 or 1544–1615), Warlord and Tea Master 73
6. Hōshun’in (1547–1617), Samurai Woman, Wife of a Warlord 79
7. Tōdō Takatora (1556–1630), Warlord and Construction
Commissioner 85
8. Hon’ami Kōetsu (1558–1637), Sword Appraiser and Calligrapher 91
9. Konoe Nobutada (1565–1614), Courtier and Calligrapher 97
10. Date Masamune (1567–1636), Warlord and Falconer 103
11. Doi Toshikatsu (1573–1644), Warlord 109
12. Kōgetsu Sōgan (1574–1643), Zen Priest 115
13. Takuan Sōhō (1573–1645), Zen Priest 121
14. Karasumaru Mitsuhiro (1579–1638), Courtier and Artist 127
15. Kobori Enshū (1579–1647), Warlord, Tea Master, and Garden
Designer 133
16. Nagaoka Kyūmu (1580–1646), Tea Practitioner, Hosokawa
Family Member 139
17. Kanamori Sōwa (1584–1657), Warlord and Tea Master 145
18. Shōkadō Shōjō (1584–1639), Zen Priest and Calligrapher 151
19. Hosokawa Tadatoshi (1586–1641), Warlord 157
20. Maeda Toshitsune (1594–1658), Warlord, Collector, and Tea
Practitioner 163
21. Okabe Nobukatsu (1597–1668), Warlord 169
22. Konoe Nobuhiro (1599–1649), Courtier 175
23. Tōfukumon’in (1607–1678), Empress and Patron of the Arts 181
Notes on Transcription 187
Japanese Character List 191
Works Cited 193
Figures 205
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"Letters from Japan's Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries offers vivid and varied glimpses into elite life and cultural practices in early modern Japan. With its careful translations, detailed contextualization, and expert guidance, it is sure to be an invaluable classroom resource." |
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"This is just the sort of (not so little) handbook I wish had been around when I was an undergraduate or even a brand new grad student. With hefty introductions to the subject matter, reproduced originals, glosses, translations, and extensive commentaries, it should make a great many students and instructors happy." |
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"The combination of scholarly introductory essays and documents with transcription, translation, and accompanying commentary-not to mention photographs of the original documents-make this an invaluable book with multiple uses for undergraduate students, graduate students, and scholarly audiences alike." |
