November 29 (Year unknown)
This is thought to be a letter written by Keiji Maeda（c. 1533-1605 : Date of birth and death uncertain）. Although the addressee is missing, it is a note of thanks for gifts of salted fish and mandarin oranges presented from Edo during a visit made while he was sick. Although mainly bedridden in his later years due to abdominal pain, he writes about being able to walk again, thanks to medicine. Maeda, who served under Toshiie Maeda and Kagekatsu Uesugi, was particularly acclaimed for his waka (Japanese court poetry) and renga (collaborative linked-verse poetry) as well as his military prowess. He was also an outlandish dandy and synonymous with eccentricity.
【The Actual Letter】
I was very glad to get a visit from Koemon, who kindly came all the way to see me. And thank you very much for caring, despite being weary yourself. Most of all, I want to express my gratitude for the 20 mandarin oranges and a vat of salted sea cucumber brought to me all the way from Edo. The oranges in particular really hit the spot – I’ve been very under the weather and craving them. Nothing has really changed with my illness, but I had severe abdominal pain and couldn’t sit up – sleep was all I could do. Thanks to the medicine though, my stomach has improved enough to let me walk around the room. So once again, thank you so much for coming to visit me. I’ve been on medication for 20 days and I am recovering, please be reassured. Koemon will fill you in with more.
Very best wishes.
Toshisada