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(178)

March 9/97.

My dear Mr. Morse:

Since my earlier letter of even date, I have thought it wise to tell you about a man in Yokohama whom I met while there, and if he is still living in Yokohama and of the same mind as when I saw him last, you may find him extremely useful. His name is Y. Shiraishi. He speaks excellent English, is a classical Japanese scholar, and translates old Japanese and Chinese as well. He was official interpreter for Arthur & Bond a number of years, and I found him spoken very well of in many places. I met him at the end of my stay in Japan and consequently saw him only a few times, but he made some difficult translations for me ad finally told me that should I ever return to Japan he would be glad to travel with me acting as interpreter and felt that he could put me in the way of seeing private collections and in line for purchasing in various remote ways. His wife and Nomura's wife seemed to be very well acquainted, and I think Nomura or his wife can tell you how to find Shiraishi, and I suggest that you meet him as early as you can after your arrival in Yokohama, not with the particular intention of engaging him, as even to-day that may be impossible, but for general purposes should you find it desirable.
I am inclosing you the personal card of a man named Kato, who is a member of the licensed association of guides and who served me for a couple of weeks. He is fairly honest, well mannered, and gave me satisfaction, although I used him strictly as a guide, not as an adviser in purchases, and I doubt very much if he can even read difficult Japanese. As a man to use on short pilgrimages however, he may be useful to you.
I am sending you under separate cover a photograph of my two jinriksha men taken at Kioto a couple of days before my departure. You had better take it with you and it will be the best sort of an