"Mikikigusa"

"Mikikigusa" (total 176 volumes) containing information and records written or filed by direct retainer Miyazaki Narichika during closing days of Edo period abounds with many interesting illustrations and beautiful color diagrams. Some of them are shown here.

"Yojo Ihitsu"

In 5th year of Bunsei (1822), death of a girl who barely became 5 was a topic of conversations in Edo. Her name was Tsuyu. She borned as a daughter of Ikeda Sadatsune, former lord of sub-domain of Inaba-Tottori domain, and called himself "Kanzan" as a penname after retirement. On November 27 of the same year, Tsuyu ended her short life stricken by smallpox. Her posthumous Buddhist name was Jokan'in Gyokuro Joho Dojo. One reason why her death was made a topic was that 1600 propose and poetry items and Japanese poem "waka" were delivered to Ikeda Kanzan, Tsuyu's father, who was also a man of culture of first class at that time, by his friends and acquaintances, feudal lords and scholars, mourning her death. Moreover, letters that looked like her wills, Japanese poem "waka" and stanzas found after her death were block-printed by her father in faithful reproduction of her products and were distributed to many people. Condolences over untimely death of Tsuyu and over her premature talents increased. "Mikikigusa" contains these wood-block prints, allowing readers to see good handwriting of Tsuyu.

Rezanov's Visiting to Nagasaki

[Illustration of Sailing Route]

Miyazaki Narichika also took part in compiling "Tsuko Ichiran" (Records of foreign affairs), a collection of diplomatic information of Tokugawa Shogunate. "Mikikigusa" naturally contains detailed descriptions and illustrations of "foreign ships arriving in Japan." Russia was the first country to demand to the Tokugawa Shogunate the opening of Japan to commerce. Russia was seeking expansion in trade and acquisition of territory under "Go South policy." Tokugawa Shogunate had taken national isolation policy and closed Japan to Western countries except the Netherlands. In 4th year of Kansei (1792), Adam K. Laksman (Russia's first envoy to Japan) arrived in Nemuro, Hokkaido, carrying with him a diplomatic message urging Japan to do commerce with Russia. Tokugawa Shogunate only granted a permit (credentials) to enter Nagasaki Port on the ground sailings of foreign ships other than to Nagasaki were not allowed and refused to receive the diplomatic message. Twelve years later, in September, 1st year of Bunka (1804), Nikolai P. Rezanov (Russia's second envoy to Japan) arrived in Nagasaki carrying with him copy of credentials granted Laksman and a personal letter of Russian Emperor Aleksandr I. Rezanof stayed in Nagasaki till March of next year seeking to start negotiations. However, Tokugawa Shogunate ordered the Russian ship to leave and did not receive the personal letter.

"Michinoku Buri"

[Sketch of Customs in Northeast Japan]

"Michinoku Buri" (Sketch of Customs in Northeast Japan), illustrates life of common people in Tohoku Region, must be sketches drawn by painter Hokuba while traveling. Hokuba is assumed to be Teisai Hokuba (1771 - 1844), a disciple of Hokusai. Rice-planting girls, gelidium jelly venders and people in other professions are vividly drawn in a light and easy style.

Mikikigusa Kanei sanho zo

These are portraits of three officials who acted as "hodo" counselors for the young Iemitsu, the third in the line of Tokugawa shogun: Sakai Uta-no-Kami Tadayo (1572 - 1636), Doi Oi-no-Kami Toshikatsu (1573 - 1644), and Aoyama Hoki-no-Kami Tadatoshi (1578 - 1643). Sakai was a central figure in the shogunate administration in the days of Hidetada, the second Tokugawa shogun. He became a lord with a fief of 120,000 "goku" (1 "goku" = about 5 bushels) in Joshu Umayabayashi (present-day Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture ). Doi became a lord with a fief of 160,000 goku in Sakura. In contrast, Aoyama fell out of favor with Iemitsu after lecturing him too harshly, and was demoted to a fief of only 20,000 goku in Otaki in the 9th year of Genna (1623).

Mikikigusa Narushima Motonao shokunin utaawase

Modeled after the singing competitions with entrants lined up on the right and left sides, the book profiles 20 different occupations in 10 pairs of pictures of townspeople including a yam peddler, eggplant peddler, fishmonger, and tofu peddler. The artist is thought to be Narushima Motonao (1778 - 1862), a Confucian scholar who served as a tutor to the shogun house and edited Tokugawajikki, the official records of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Kanshi Fukugi

The record of the official cloths used by the Korean Liaison and the accompanying personnels. From the inscription added to the illustration, it is assumed that the liaison came to Japan on the occasion of the celebration of the accession of Ienari, the 11th Shogun, to the Shogunate in the 8th year of Bunsei (1825).