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671

(651) 

Oct. 16/96.

My dear Mr. Matsuki:

I returned from New York two or three days ago but have not yet entirely recovered from my illness and have had a number of pressing things to attend to.

It gives me great pleasure to know that the silver box calls forth such warm appreciation from you. When I first saw it in India, I realized that it was an unusual thing and carried it with me many hundreds of miles in India and afterward brought it direct home with me. Personal association with it has not distracted from its interest, but I am sure you will understand it very much better than I, so that I am delighted to have it remain permanently with you.

Your great kindness in connection with the Ninagawa Kwanko dzu Setsu is much greater than I anticipated. I am afraid it cost you a great lot of work. I am delighted however to have the translations and the work itself entirely surpasses my greatest hopes. How delightful the illustrations, and how extremely useful even to me with my very small group of pottery! I wish that I knew more of the potter’s art. Its fascination steadily increases, and then of course comes the desire for knowledge.

In one of your recent letters you spoke of having inclosed bill of my account to date, but I presume you must have overlooked it as it has not reached me. In another letter you speak of the price of the kakemono by Shunsho. $95.00 is the amount mentioned originally and the sum I expect you to charge me for it. Do not forget to include in your bill express charges on the goods I sent to you from New York for trans-shipment to Japan.

While in New York last week I saw a very small piece of Karatsu, incense box I think, similar in color and design to the bowl you showed me but which I notice you quietly took back with you to Boston. Well, I cannot blame you for keeping a treasure of that

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