Letter c. 19th century

This letter was written by Kameyama Unpei, a Japanese artist, calligrapher, and scholar who lived through the late Edo and Meiji periods. Unpei lived through a time of great social and political change as Japan transitioned from a feudal society to a modern nation-state. As a scholar trained in the Chinese classics, Unpei would have felt the tensions between tradition and modernity acutely. As we observe the careful brushstrokes of the characters, we can see a connection to the past. The letter provides insight into Unpei's social world and intellectual pursuits. We can imagine the exchange of ideas and the cultivation of friendships through the art of correspondence. The letter reflects the importance of personal connections and artistic expression in a rapidly changing society. It reminds us of the power of art to connect us to the past and to each other, even across time and cultures.