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Detroit, Mich., October 18th, 1905.

Dear cousin Mary:-
On my return to Detroit this morning I found your letter of the 10th inst. In reply would say, that Japanese Art is an enormous subject to describe, or explain, in a single paper. I would suggest that instead of attempting to cover the entire field you select one department.

Why not confine your paper to one of the many schools of Japanese Art! Say, for instance, that of Ukiyo-ye. Several books have been published on the work of this school. The better one by Prof. Ernest F. Fenollosa, entitled, "An Outline History of Ukiyo-ye Art." This book will give you accurate and useful knowledge. I have only one copy of it, myself, which I have constant use for or I would offer to loan it to you. You can, doubtless, buy the book in New York or obtain it from the Public Library.

You are right in having associated the dragon with Chinese Art. But it was, also, used quite as generally by the Japanese painters. In fact, thousands of the Japanese artists have introduced the dragon in their work. 

A small book was published two or three years ago, and can be had now at almost any book-store, entitled, "The Ideals of the East." By Okakura. This book contains much information on Japanese Art and in one place speaks most intelligently of the meaning of the dragon as it appears in Japanese Art.

You are very kind to think of inviting me to address your association on some art topic, but I must beg you to dismiss this thought entirely from your mind. I am forced to decline every invitation of this sort.

Wishing you success with your proposed paper, and with kind regards, believe me,
Always cordially yours,
Charles L. Freer

Mrs. Samuel H. Jordan.
105 Shepherd Avenue,
Brooklyn, N.Y.