Autographed letter

Ino A. Reynolds

Erscheinungsdatum: 1890

Beschreibung

A shining example of the innocent colonialist perspective on ethnographic materials is found in a letter from the woman-traveler Ino A. Reynolds to an unknown English-speaking Japanese man, Mr. Takatsu from Himeji. Since I have been in this country I have seen many sacred relics which were kept with great care and in memory of Lord Buddha, whom they worship and revere. I have traveled almost from one end of this land to the other, and among the sacred things I have been shown, was a little image of Amida Buddha which is said to have been brought from India to this country many hundred years ago, and was kept secretly in some family for some hundred years. Whether it did really come from India I cannot vouch for, but it is a beautifully carved little image much superior to any thing of the kind that I have seen in this country, and if it is what it is said to be, I hope it will find a more fitting receptacle than holds it at present. To Mr. Takat[s]u Himeji Ino A. Reynolds, 11th March 1890. Himeji, an ancient city in the south of Honshu island, is renowned for its wood carving of Buddhist sculptures (butsudan). The letter was composed during a time when Buddhism waned in favor, and the government emphasized Shinto relics. In this context, the author of the letter, a foreign woman, discusses the need for a "more fitting receptacle" to captivate the addressee, possibly an aloof antiquarian dealing with religious artifacts in the area. The letter held special significance for the recipient, prompting him to bind it into a silk scroll. The text is in English. Single sheet. Letter is 27,x52,4 cm. Scroll is 32 cm when rolled. Ink on paper. Two water stains, with no damage to the text. Mount on a silver paper. Contemporary green brocade silk with golden title slip. Later handwritten title in black ink. Silk is worn. One wooden dowel is missing. Very good to near fine. May require extra shipping due to size and weight. Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers 1450

Bibliografische Details

Titel: Autographed letter

Erscheinungsdatum: 1890

Einband: Soft cover

Zustand: Near Fine

Signiert: Signed by Author(s)