Kaishū’s calligraphy was used to show appreciation to donors, and the size varied depending on the amount of the donation, from five yen to one hundred yen, and would be delivered via the postal system. However, Kaishū was seventy-four years old at the time and was cer-tainly no longer in good health. He wrote, I had been lying sick since August of the twenty-eighth year [1895]. It seemed as though death was almost upon me. I had no desire to remain in the world. Coming into December, I was cured of my illness and recovered my energy. In March of 1896 Enryō changed his nationwide approach to lecture tours. He would now tour one prefecture at a time, and he departed for Nagano prefecture. During this time, in a letter addressed to Kai-shū’s steward and dated March thirtieth, Enryō wrote the following. I have been touring the counties of Shinshū, and many people are eager to obtain a piece of calligraphy. We are happy and thankful to have already collected over one hundred yen in do-nations. Almost all of the twenty or thirty pieces of calligraphy I brought with me are gone. In addition to those I requested previously I would like to humbly request calligraphy on the cards that have been newly delivered by my messenger. Count Katsu Kaishu’s calligraphy was greatly coveted. So much so that some of his works were forged, and the Philosophy Academy was forced to advertise that receipts for donations would be accom-panied by a certificate of authenticity for the calligraphy. 112
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