Letters

" When we consider the respective advantages and disadvantages of war and peace [with the west] , we find that if we put our trust in war, the whole country's morale will be increased and even if we sustain an initial defeat we will in the end expel the foreigner; while if we put our trust in peace, even though things may seem tranquil for a time, the morale of the country will be greatly lowered and we will come in the end to complete collapse"
​​​​​​​- Tokugawa Nariaki (daimyo of Mito domain) to Bakufu, 14 August 1853

Translated by WG Beasley, from David Lu's  Japan: A Documentary History

" Careful consideration of conditions are they are today, however, leads me to believe that despite the constant differences and debates into which men of patriotism and foresight have been led in recent years by their perception of the danger of foreign aggression, it is impossible in the crisis we now face to ensure the safety and tranquility of our country merely by an insistance on the seclusion laws as we did in former times…Since 1609…we have had no warships capable of opposing foreign attack on our coasts with heacy guns​​​​​​​" 
​​​​​​​- Ii Naosuke (daimyo of Hikone domaine) to Bakufu, 1 October 1853

Translated by WG Beasley, from David Lu's Japan: A Documentary History