竹中成憲からエドワード・S・モースへ 1900年6月5日

竹中成憲からエドワード・S・モースへ

Seiken Takenaka writes to Edward Morse on June 5, 1900

Public Hospital, Aomori, Japan
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.

A BUBBLE-BLOWING INSECT
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."