University of Hawaii: Rare Letter, Book Collection Among Pair of Gifts to Hamilton Library

From the University of Hawaii:

Two recent donations were gifted to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Hamilton Library’s Asia Collection. The donations include 23 books through the Read Japan Project by the Japan Science Society and a rare letter written by Sir Ernest Satow (1843–1929), a British scholar, diplomat and Asianist.

delivery ceremony was held on December 16 for the Read Japan Project book donation, where Deputy Consul General Shinichi Yamanaka and Vice Consul Miho Sakai of the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu, met with UH Librarian Clem Guthro, Japan Studies Librarian Tokiko Bazzell and Gay Satsuma, associate director of the Center for Japanese Studies, to present the books. The project’s mission is to promote the understanding of Japan around the world through English translations of Japanese books on topics such as history, literature and art.

“There are many interesting books about Japan written in Japanese, which benefit many, but not students and researchers who do not have a command in Japanese language,” said Bazzell. “We have many such people on campus. I truly appreciate the Read Japan Project to translate as many good books as possible to reach many readers to learn about Japan.”

Sir Ernest Satow’s letter was gifted to the library by Deborah Rudolph, wife of the late John Hawley. It was addressed to Tadatsuga Hanawa, the grandson of a well-known blind Edo period scholar, Hanawa Hokiichi, who compiled a massive set of historical Japanese documents and literature called Gusho Ruiju. Satow’s letter thanked Tadatsuga for letting him borrow the set for a long time.

According to Rudolph, Frank Hawley treasured the letter, framed it and placed it on the wall of his study. When Frank’s son John Hawley and Deborah married, it was gifted to them, and John admired it until his death.

The letter was also gifted to the library to honor Bazzell, who will be retiring from the university at the end of December after 22 years of service. “I am so humbled and so grateful to Ms. Rudolph for this treasured gift to the library, which will become part of the Sakamaki/Hawley collection (in the Asia Collection),” said Bazzell.

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