These six postcards were sent by Japanese scientists, who were students of Morse during his stay in Japan. They are all previously unpublished material.
According to S. Kimura, the author of Exchanges between Morse and Japanese People as Evidenced Through Written Correspondence, she mentions that out of the vast collection of over 12,000 letters, a mere 267 can be definitively attributed to Japanese senders corresponding with Morse, underscoring the rarity of such exchanges.
Among the recently discovered postcards (purchased from an online auction simply listed as "Japanese Postcards," with no mention of Morse or their content), four were written by Chujiro Sasaki (佐々木忠次郎) and are dated 1910, 1916, 1922, and 1924. There are also two other postcards in the collection: one from Seiken Takenaka (竹中成憲) dated 1900, and another from Chiyomatsu Ishikawa (石川千代松) dated 1901.
For a more comprehensive exploration of the lives and accomplishments of the individuals mentioned above, read Sagiri Kimura's paper, available as a PDF file. Thanks to her research paper, I managed to accurately identify the origins of those postcards.
https://edo-tokyo-museum.repo.nii.ac.jp/record/313/files/report35_55-70.pdf
Kimura is a researcher at Edo-Tokyo-Museum: https://www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp/en/
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Sasaki Chujiro's postcard to Edward S. Morse dated May, 1, 1910. He writes:
Tokyo 1. May 1910
Dear Professor,
A few days ago I have received your kind letter as well as your interesting paper - An early stage of Acmaea.
In June, I will depart Japan in order to travel Europe, and probably in the following November or December, I will visit you at Salem.
Yours very fauthfully
Tokyo, Japan
An early stage of Acmaea was published in the Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, 1910, Volume 34, Number 8, pp. 318-323. The following review appeared in Geological Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 1, January 1915, pp. 41.
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Seiken Takenaka writes to Edward Morse on June 5, 1900
June 5th, 1900
Regards to / Mrs. Morse / & / Edith / Mrs.-- / I beg your pardon.
Dear Professor,
Thanks for your kindness of sending me the Pamphlet on Bubble blower"--Very interesting. I send you a new Jap Med Journal, which contained my essay e.i. I cut it out. Still I send you the empty pamphlet, because at any rate you would not read the Japanese. Just a joke! To Dr. Bigelow tell the same thing if you please.
How is your family? I want to have the picture of your loving son Mr. J. G. M. [ Potteries I do not forget yet -- a long time] You only, Takenaka
Seiken (Hachitaro) Takenaka (1862-1925) emerges as a prominent presence within Morse's book Japan Day by Day 1877, 1878-79, 1882-83. Serving as Morse's assistant and interpreter during his initial years in Japan, Takenaka's early affiliation with Morse is well-documented. He pursued a medical education at the University of Tokyo and later transitioned into the role of a military doctor. Notably, Takenaka established his own hospital on Sado Island around 1905.
This card is particularly intriguing, as it extends regards to various individuals: Mrs. Morse (Ellen Elizabeth Owen Morse, the wife), Edith (Edith Morse, the daughter), Mr. J.G.M. (John Gavit Morse, the son), and Dr. Bigelow (William Sturgis Bigelow, longtime friend). Takenaka humorously includes a remark addressing Edith as "Mrs.," likely aware of her recent marriage in March 1898. However, it seems he was unaware that John Gavit Morse had also married in early 1899. Unlike the instantaneous news updates we are accustomed to today, in the past, it took considerable time for news to circulate, especially when letters sent overseas were infrequent.
It seems like Takenaka is expressing gratitude for receiving a pamphlet on bubble blowers. He acknowledges the kindness of the gesture and finds the pamphlet interesting. He then mentions sending Morse a new Japanese medical journal, along with his essay that he had cut out. He humorously adds that he is sending the empty pamphlet as well, jokingly implying that Morse wouldn't be able to read the Japanese content anyway. Takenaka concludes by asking Morse to relay the same message to Dr. Bigelow. This postcard appears to be a light-hearted and appreciative exchange.
The article appeared in Popular Science Monthly, May 1900, pp. 23-29. Below is the first paragraph of that monograph.
By Prof. E. S. MORSE
MANY years ago, while preparing an elementary book on zoölogy, I had occasion to make a drawing of the little insect which is found on grass and other plants immersed in flecks of froth. This substance is commonly known as frog spittle or cuckoo spit, and, being found in the spring, is known in France as "spring froth."
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For whatever the reason, Chujiro Sasaki uses Roman numeral to denote month of the year. In this instance, he uses "XI" for November: 'Tokyo 26. XI. 1922' for this postcard sent to Edward Sylvester Morse. It appears Morse had sent him an article on soft-shell clams and a work relating to archery, a sequel to his 1885 "Ancient and Modern Methods of Arrow Release."
Tokyo 26. XI. 1922
Dear Prof.
Today I have reveived your two papers -
1. An abnormal shell of Mya arenaria
2. Additional notes on arrow release - and read them with great interests. I should say much thanks to your kindness and am glad to hear your everlasting scientific works.
Hon. Prof. C. Sasaki
Agric Coll. Tokyo
Imp. Univ.
Tokyo, Japan
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| Ancient and Modern Methods of Arrow Release |
Below is an extract from that work:
"In 1885 I published, in the Proceedings of the Essex Institute, a paper entitled "Ancient and Modern Methods of Arrow Release." From the difficulty I found in ascertaining the various attitudes of the hand in drawing the bow I began to realize that no one had made a study of the subject and that I had made a discovery."
An Abnormal Shell of Mya Arenaria, 1922, Nautilus, volume 36, pp. 28-30.
Below is an extract from that work:
"The many deformations in the shells of Mollusca have often been described and figured and their causes easily explained. Some of these deformations have been due to injuries to the shell in its early stages, others are due to an arrest of development — atrophy, or an access of growth — hypertrophy, as are the usual causes of malformations among the higher animals and man. In shells these malformations generally consist in the case of gasteropods of the whorls being separated, elongation of the spire, extra knobs, spines, ribs or keels or simple monstrosities; reversed twirls of the spire in dextral shells, supernumerary teeth in the aperture. These and other modifications of the shell are readily understood. I now present an example of an abnormal growth which has so far been inexplicable to me, and it is hoped that some reader of the Nautilus will solve the problem. Recently I received the right valve of the common clam, Mya arenaria, from my friend Major John M. Gould, who received it from Levi C. Carter of Loudville, Maine, who got it at Marsh Island, midway between the Kennebec and Penobscot Rivers."
From these writings, it becomes evident that Morse continued his lifelong research on various subjects until his death in 1925.
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New Year's well wishes from Chiyomatsu Ishikawa to Edward Sylvester Morse
Bearing the postmark of December 28, 1900, from Tokyo, the note is dated January 1, 1901, in adherence to the customary practice of New Year's greeting cards. Chiyomatsu Ishikawa, once a student of Edward Morse during Morse's tenure at Tokyo University, sent this heartfelt greeting in German. Notably, it reached Morse on January 21, 1900, as indicated by the Massachusetts postmark
Ishikawa Chiyomatsu (石川千代松, January 30, 1861 – January 17, 1935) was a Japanese biologist, zoologist, evolutionary theorist, and ichthyologist who left an indelible mark on the scientific landscape of Japan. His significant contributions extended beyond his homeland, particularly in the realms of evolutionary biology and ichthyology. Notably, Chiyomatsu played a pivotal role in the early dissemination of Charles Darwin's groundbreaking evolutionary ideas within Japan, contributing to the broader acceptance and understanding of evolutionary theory in the country.
In 1878, Chiyomatsu embarked on his academic journey at Tokyo Imperial University, where he studied under the guidance of Edward S. Morse. His intellectual foundation expanded further as Morse's departure from Japan led him to influential mentors such as Charles Otis Whitman and Kakichi Mitsukuri.
After completing his studies at Tokyo Imperial University, Chiyomatsu pursued advanced research in Germany under the tutelage of the distinguished evolutionary theorist August Weismann. The experience abroad not only enriched his scientific knowledge but also fostered a global perspective on evolutionary studies.
Upon his return to Japan, Chiyomatsu assumed the role of an assistant professor at the University of Tokyo. Subsequently, he became a professor at the University of Agriculture (農科大学, Nōka Daigaku) from 1890 to 1924, where he continued to inspire and shape the minds of future scientists. His tenure at these esteemed institutions marked a period of significant academic influence, where Chiyomatsu continued his research, contributing to the advancement of zoology and evolutionary thought in Japan.
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This postcard bears the date 28.V.1924 (28 May 1924), humorously marked with the Roman numeral 'V' to signify May. In a jesting manner, Chijiro Sasaki signs the card as 'Hon. Prof.,' a tongue-in-cheek reference to Honorable Professor, playfully expressing modesty in his signature.
Edward Morse likely sent Sasaki an article he authored on Joseph Leidy's Influence on Science, which was published in The Scientific Monthly, Vol. 18, No. 4 (Apr., 1924), pp. 422-427 (6 pages). In the opening paragraph of the article, Morse expresses his initial reluctance:
Chujiro Sasaki (1857-1938) stands as a noteworthy figure, having been a protégé of Edward S. Morse during his tenure at the University of Tokyo. As a student in 1877, Sasaki engaged in excavations and surveys at the Omori Shell Mound. In the subsequent years, he also explored the Okadaira Shell Mound, a site of significant archaeological import. Graduating from Tokyo University in 1881, Sasaki pursued further studies in Germany over a span of two years. His academic journey led him to eventually become a professor specializing in zoology, entomology, and sericulture at the Imperial University Agricultural College in 1893.
Joseph Leidy was an American paleontologist, anatomist, and naturalist who lived in the 19th century. He was born on September 9, 1823, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and died on April 30, 1891. Leidy made significant contributions to various scientific fields, including paleontology, comparative anatomy, and parasitology.
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Chujiro Sasaki (1857-1938) stands as a noteworthy figure, having been a protégé of Edward S. Morse during his tenure at the University of Tokyo. As a student in 1877, Sasaki engaged in excavations and surveys at the Omori Shell Mound. In the subsequent years, he also explored the Okadaira Shell Mound, a site of significant archaeological import. Graduating from Tokyo University in 1881, Sasaki pursued further studies in Germany over a span of two years. His academic journey led him to eventually become a professor specializing in zoology, entomology, and sericulture at the Imperial University Agricultural College in 1893.
A postcard dated May 3, 1916, from Chujiro Sasaki to Edward S. Morse. The handwriting is unquestionably the work of two individuals; Sasaki wrote the main portion, while another hand addressed the bottom. The differences in penmanship are evident.
Tokyo, 3 May 1916
Dear Professor!
Much thanks are due to your kind sending of paper on the Fireflies Flashing. I am always glad to receive your works, which indicate your healthy condition.
Yours very faithfully,
Agric. Coll.
Tokyo Imp. Univ.
Tokyo (Komaba),
Japan
Sasaki must have been referring to the article 'FIREFLIES FLASHING IN UNISON' (published in SCIENCE on Feb. 4, 1916). Below is its full text:
FIFTY years ago in Gorham, Maine, while walking along the road I passed an open field and noticed to my astonishment hundreds of fireflies flashing in perfect unison. I watched this curious sight for some time and the synchronism of the flashing was unbroken. Many times after I have watched these luminous insects, hoping to see a repetition of this phenomenon, but the flashes in every instance were intermittent. Since that time I have read about these insects in various books without meeting any allusion to this peculiar behavior.
At last I have found a confirmation of my early observations. In Nature of December 9, page 414, is the report of an interesting paper read before the South London Entomological and Natural History Society by K. G. Blair entitled "Luminous Insects " in which reference is made to the remarkable synchronism of the flashes in certain European species of fireflies. The explanation offered as to the cause of this behavior seemed to me inadequate. One often notices in the stridulation of the Grillide the perfect time the insects keep in their concerts and it seems likely that the same impulse must animate these flashing beetles, and the light emitted could be more easily followed than the sound.
(Morse continues) The following is an extract from Mr. Blair's paper:
Apart from its principal function in securing the proper mating of the sexes, the light seems also to be largely used, at any rate by the males, for purposes of display. Where the powers of luminosity are largely developed in this sex the emission of the light is usually of an intermittent flashing type. It has been noticed in various parts of the world that these flashing males tend to congregate in large companies, and that all the individuals of one of these gatherings will flash in concert. All the fireflies around one tree or group of trees, for instance, will flash together, while those around a neighboring tree will be pulsating to a different time. This feature has been observed of a European species of Luciola (though Mr. Main and myself were unable to detect anything of the sort with L. italica at Lugano), of an Indian lampyrid genus not stated, and of the genus Aspidosoma in South America. The American species of Photinus and Photuris do not seem to possess the habit.
The exact reason of this flashing in concert, or the method by which it is brought about, have not been ascertained. It has been suggested that the light is not really intermittent in character, but merely appears so owing to its being alternately masked and exhibited by movements of the creature's body, and that a slight puff of wind might perhaps affect all the members of a company and cause them all to conceal their lights at once. Though this explanation of the intermittent character of the light applies well enough to Pyrophorus, an insect we shall shortly consider, it is certainly not applicable to these Lampyride. It is true the light is not absolutely extinguished between the flashes, but it is so diminished as to become practically dark; moreover the flashing in unison is too regular to be caused by chance puffs of wind. A more probable explanation of the phenomenon is that each flash exhausts the battery, as it were, and a period of recuperation is required before another flash can be emitted. It is then conceivable that the flash of a leader might act as a stimulus to the discharge of their flashes by the other members of the group, and so bring about the flashing concert by the whole company.
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