National Treasures & Important Cultural Properties
of National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Japan

Emperor Hanazono (1297-1348) wrote this letter to his brother Prince Son'en (1298-1356) in the eighth month of 1331 (Genko 1), the day that Emperor Godaigo (1288-1339) made an imperial visit to Mount Kasagi to offer sacred treasures. Recorded are the feelings of surprise and anxiety on matters such as the possible attendants being the courtiers Toin Kintoshi (b. 1292) and Saneyo (1308-58). The phrase, "I am simply dumbfounded", vividly conveys the emperor's bewilderment at the information that was passed down from one messenger to the next as well as the social tension in the time of the Genko Disturbance. Although the content of the missive is filled with shock, his brush is surprisingly composed.