Contents
A Melodramatic Age - Morgan Pitelka
Letters as a Window on Culture - Reiko Tanimura
Musings on Letters - Takashi Masuda
Letters and Commentaries - Morgan Pitelka
1. Takeda Shingen (1521-1573), Warlord
2. Sen no Rikyū (1522-1591), Tea Master
3. Hosokawa Yūsai (1534-1610), Warlord and Tea Master
4. Inagaki Toshitsugu (late 16th c.), Vassal of Toyotomi Hidenaga (1540-1591)
5. Furuta Oribe (1544-1615), Warlord and Tea Master
6. Hōshun’in (1547-1617), Samurai Woman, Wife of a Warlord
7. Tōdō Takatora (1556-1630), Warlord and Construction Commissioner
8. Hon’ami Kōetsu (1558-1637), Sword Appraiser and Calligrapher
9. Konoe Nobutada (1565-1614), Courtier and Calligrapher
10. Date Masamune (1567-1636), Warlord and Falconer
11. Doi Toshikatsu (1573-1644), Warlord
12. Kōgetsu Sōgan (1574-1643), Zen Priest
13. Takuan Sōhō (1573-1645), Zen Priest
14. Karasuma Mitsuhiro (1579-1638), Courtier and Artist
15. Kobori Enshū (1579-1647), Warlord, Tea Master, and Garden Designer
16. Nagaoka Kyūmu (1580-1646), Tea Practitioner, Hosokawa family member
17. Kanamori Sōwa (1584-1657), Warlord and Tea Master
18. Shōkadō Shōjō (1584-1639), Shingon Priest and Calligrapher
19. Hosokawa Tadatoshi (1586-1641), Warlord
20. Maeda Toshitsune (1594-1658), Warlord, Collector, and Tea Practitioner
21. Okabe Nobukatsu (1597-1668), Warlord
22. Konoe Nobuhiro (1599-1649), Courtier
23. Tōfukumon’in (1607-1678), Empress and Patron of the Arts
Japanese Character List
Bibliography
BLURBS
"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."
—Erin Brightwell, University of Michigan
"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."
—David Spafford, University of Pennsylvania
"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."
—Constantine Vaporis, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
SAMPLE LETTER:
Here is a sample of one letter, by the fierce warlord Takeda Shingen. One of the most respected and feared warlords of the sixteenth century, Shingen wrested control of the province of Kai from his own father, and relentlessly expanded his territory until his sudden death in 1573. A skilled swordsman and perceptive strategist, Shingen is well known for his military activities and effective rule of his domain.