Primary sources are accounts and other kinds of documents written at the time of an event or era. In order to develop a nuanced understanding of a situation, historians read primary sources critically. These can take the form of any of the types below in addition to such resources as letter, commercial records, and papers from organizations.
Many primary sources are in manuscript only and have not been printed. Historians travel to archives and libraries around the world to do their research. They develop the language skills necessary to work in Chinese or Japanese from a particular time period.
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Westtown School: Primary Sources for Chinese and Japanese History
Introduction:
Diaries and Autobiographies:
A daughter of Han
Publisher: Stanford, CA : Stanford Univ. Press, 1967.
Ida Pruitt was a daughter of missionaries and worked in China as a teacher and social reformer. She interviewed Ning Lao T'ai t'ai, so that Westerners could learn about the lives of poor women in the countryside.
Modern Japanese diaries
Publisher: New York : Henry Holt and Co., 1995.
Modern Japanese Diaries is a collection of journals written by Japanese who journeyed to America, Europe, and China between 1860 and 1920. It begins with entries by the first Japanese to be sent abroad when the country was opened after more than two hundred years of isolation. They had little idea of what they would encounter, and their impressions of the West possess a fresh innocence that can never be recaptured in today's interconnected world. Faithfully kept, the diaries record personal yet overarching views of the countries and their cultures, and sentiments that range from delight to disillusionment. These narratives provide insight into Japanese society through the diarists' reactions to alien customs, their distaste of the "barbarian music" played in Europe, their admiration for American democracy, and their curiosity about the philosophy of Christianity. Even those who never left Japan were affected by the Western influences infiltrating their country, changing the attitudes of the nation and opening a new era in Japanese history. The diaries are written by a range of individuals, including samurai and other government officials, several novelists and poets, a pioneer in education for women, a painter, and an anarchist who recorded his impressions of the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Any of the diaries can be read independently, but various themes link them and impart a unity to these personal accounts by men and women who wrote under strikingly different circumstances. Donald Keene treats each voice intimately, inviting the reader to partake of the memories of the diarists while experiencing the world in which they lived.
Exhibitions and Fairs:
A descriptive catalogue of the Chinese collection, in Philadelphia.
Publisher: Philadelphia, 1839.
Merchant Nathan Dunn founded his Chinese museum in 1838 in Philadelphia. It entertained people through 1841 with views of Chinese rooms, art, and objects.
For more information, see the American Philosophical Society page describing more sources on Dunn.
For a longer description, see China in Miniature: Nathan Dunn's Chinese Museum
For more information, see the American Philosophical Society page describing more sources on Dunn.
For a longer description, see China in Miniature: Nathan Dunn's Chinese Museum
Tokio city, 1915.
Publisher: [Tokyo] : Tokio Municipal Office, [1915]
A guide to Tokyo for English-speaking tourists coming to the Panama Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco in 1915.
Expedition and Embassy Reports:
The Iwakura embassy, 1871-73
Publisher: Chiba, Japan : Japan Documents ; 2002.
Kume Kunitake accompanied Prince Iwakura and four other ambassadors on a long trip through the United States and Europe. Kume's observations are detailed with particularly great interest in landscape, finances, and technology. He is quick to point out praiseworthy things but also is realistic about problems,
A narrative of the British embassy to China, in the years 1792, 1793, and 1794;
Publisher: London : J. Debrett, 1796.
Lord Macartney led the first British embassy to China in 1792. The experience on both sides involved a fair amount of disappointment.
Narrative of the expedition of an American squadron to the China seas and Japan
Publisher: New York : Appleton, 1857.
This is the first volume in the official report of Commodore Perry's voyage, landing in Japan, and meeting with Japanese officials. Remarkable for its many illustrations and maps.
Government Records:
Japan Center for Asian Historical Records (National Archives of Japan)
This agency makes many imortant documents available online in PDFs of the original manuscripts in Japanese. There are two special exhibits on the Web site which translate some of the documents into English:
Russo-Japanese War as Seen in Official Documents
US-Japan War Talks as Seen in Official Documents
Russo-Japanese War as Seen in Official Documents
US-Japan War Talks as Seen in Official Documents
Shanghai Municipal Police files
Publisher: [Wilmington, Delaware] : Scholarly Resources Inc., [1984?]
Provides copies of reports and other documents in police files. During this era Shanghai had a very large section of the city built in Western style with foreigners working and investing in the city. The police records reflect a mixture of problems in finance, vice, politics, and crime.
U.S. Congressional serial set
Provider: Readex
The online version of the multi-volumes resource that contains all the reports, documents, and journals of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Provides primary source material on all aspects of American history from 1817 to 1941 (digitization is in progress to complete the twentieth century).
Includes such reports as:
Japanese pupils to West Point. Letter from the Secretary of State. April 11, 1871.
Reltions with Japan. Reports of the inaugural mmeting of the American Peace Society of Japan, held in Yokohama, January 30, 1911.
For the relief of sufferers from earthquake in Japan. Letter from the Secretary of War transmitting a draft of proposed legislation for the relief of sufferers from earthquake in Japan. April 22, 1924.
Includes such reports as:
Japanese pupils to West Point. Letter from the Secretary of State. April 11, 1871.
Reltions with Japan. Reports of the inaugural mmeting of the American Peace Society of Japan, held in Yokohama, January 30, 1911.
For the relief of sufferers from earthquake in Japan. Letter from the Secretary of War transmitting a draft of proposed legislation for the relief of sufferers from earthquake in Japan. April 22, 1924.
Images:
A city of Cathay
A handscroll depicts, in exquisite detail, everyday life in thirteenth-century China. This CD-ROM version allows a close-up detailed view of all sections of the 36-foot long scroll.
See this Columbia University course page for an example of how this artwork is used in a history class.
See this Columbia University course page for an example of how this artwork is used in a history class.
Hai mao liu zhen
Publisher: Xianggang = Hong Kong : Xianggang da xue mei shu bo wu guan = University of Hong Kong, 2003.
The English title for this exhibition catalog is Picturing Cathay: Maritime and Cultural Images of the China Trade.
Paintings and objects are presented from museums in Hong Kong, Shanghai, the Peabody ESsex Museum and private collectors.
Paintings and objects are presented from museums in Hong Kong, Shanghai, the Peabody ESsex Museum and private collectors.
Japan
Publisher: Boston, Mass. : J. B. Millet company, [1897-98]
Complete title: Japan Described and Illustrated by the Japanese. Written by Eminent Japanese Authorities and Scholars.
The introduction empasizes the importance of letting the Japanese themselves describe their culture and history. Foreign writers don't understand Japan. This 15 volume set has essays written by Japanes authors. The photographs were all taken by Japanese photographers. Even the decorative papers were designed and made by Japanese artists.
The intention of the contributors is to make Japan better know to the American people.
The introduction empasizes the importance of letting the Japanese themselves describe their culture and history. Foreign writers don't understand Japan. This 15 volume set has essays written by Japanes authors. The photographs were all taken by Japanese photographers. Even the decorative papers were designed and made by Japanese artists.
The intention of the contributors is to make Japan better know to the American people.
Meiji kaikaki no nishikie
Publisher: Tōkyō : Tōkyō Daigaku Shuppankai, 1989.
This is a catalog of an exhibit entitled Meiji Japan through Woodblock Prints.
Note the frequent representations of Western technologies and customs alongside a traditional Japanese way of life.
Note the frequent representations of Western technologies and customs alongside a traditional Japanese way of life.
Literature:
The Columbia anthology of modern Chinese literature
Publisher: New York : Columbia University Press, c2007.
The Columbia anthology of modern Japanese literature
Publisher: New York, N.Y. : Columbia University Press, c2005-
The marshes of Mount Liang
Publisher: Hong Kong : Chinese University Press ; c1994-
One of the great Chinese classic novels; also known as The Water Margin. This story of 108 outlaws was first told as stories before being written in the 16th century.
The book's popularity in Japan is demonstrated by the series of woodblock prints illustrating the hero outlaws done by Kuniyoshi in the late 1820s:
Of Brigands and Bravery: Kuniyoshi's Heroes of the Suikoden. By Inge Klompmakers. Hotei Publishing, 2003. H Magill Art NE1325 U78 A4 2003
The book's popularity in Japan is demonstrated by the series of woodblock prints illustrating the hero outlaws done by Kuniyoshi in the late 1820s:
Of Brigands and Bravery: Kuniyoshi's Heroes of the Suikoden. By Inge Klompmakers. Hotei Publishing, 2003. H Magill Art NE1325 U78 A4 2003
Shanks' mare,
Publisher: Tokyo, C.E. Tuttle Co. [1960]
This comic novel from the Edo period tells the story of two men's journey on the Tokaido highway. It was the most important road in Japan linking Edo (Tokyo) with Kyoto (the imperial city).
For more information on the tokaido, see:
Hiroshige: The 53 Stations of the Tokaido. Kodansha, 1969.
Tokaido: Adventures on the Road in Old Japan. University of Kansas, 1980.
Tokaido Road: Traveling and Representation in Edo and Meiji Japan. RoutledgeCurzon, 2004.
For more information on the tokaido, see:
Hiroshige: The 53 Stations of the Tokaido. Kodansha, 1969.
Tokaido: Adventures on the Road in Old Japan. University of Kansas, 1980.
Tokaido Road: Traveling and Representation in Edo and Meiji Japan. RoutledgeCurzon, 2004.
Missionary Records:
The Chinese recorder and missionary journal
Publisher: Foochow : [s.n., 1868-1912]
Missionaries contributed to and edited this newspaper for the many Church workers in China. In addition to reflecting concerns about conversion, retention of Chinese believers, and relations with authorities at all levels, the newspaper reports on political, social, and cultural issues of the day. See the print index for articles on subjects and people.
Sample printed pages from 1870 concern an ongoing discussion of footbinding and what, if anything, is the responsibility of the Christian missionary.
Sample printed pages from 1870 concern an ongoing discussion of footbinding and what, if anything, is the responsibility of the Christian missionary.
Christianity in China
Publisher: Armonk, N.Y. : M.E. Sharpe, 1989.
This is a guide to material in libraries and archives in the United States. The collections profiled in Pennsylvania are extensive (pages 335-362) and cover a wide range of denominations. For example, the Presbyterian Historical Society has records from the Foreign Board of missions, biography file on missionaries, magazine published in China, and family papers from many missionaries,
Esther Biddle Rhoads papers,
Personal and professional correspondence, documents, notes, pamphlets, clippings, memorabilia and photographs of Esther B. Rhoads. Papers relate in large part to Rhoads' work as missionary, educator, relief administrator and active Quaker, primarily in Japan, but also U.S. and Algeria. Correspondents include: Crown Prince now Emperor Akihito, American Friends Service Committee, Gurney and Elizabeth Binford, Gilbert and Minnie Pickett Bowles, Howard and Anna Cox Brinton, Janice Clevenger, J. Passmore Elkinton, Friends School Tokyo, Seiju Hirakawa, Allan and Elizabeth Hunter, Margaret S. James, Japan Yearly Meeting, the Japanese Imperial Household Dept., Tano Jodai, Thomas and Esther Balderston Jones, Takeshi Kabori, LARA, Tamon Maeda, Fumiyo Miho, Empress Nagako, Herbert Nicholson, Inazo and Mary Elkinton Nitobé Mariko Nittono, Lucille Nixon, Ryu Sato Oyaizu, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, Caroline Paxson Rhoads, Edward Rhoads, Jonathan E. and Teresa Rhoads, Margaret Paxson Rhoads, Margaret Whitall Rhoads, Ruth Ely Rhoads, Edith Sharpless, Sarah Smith, FWCC, Germantown Monthly Meeting, Japan Yearly Meeting, Toki Tomiyama, Japanese Embassy, Masa Uraguchi, Elizabeth Gray Vining, Tayeko Yamanouchi and Prince Yoshi no Miya Masahito. Subjects include: education in Japan, including women's and princes', the Japanese royal family, Japanese history and religion, evacuation and relocation of Japanese Americans, civilian relief work in Japan, conscientious objection, Algerian history, missionary work in Japan, and peace work of the Society of Friends.
Newspapers and Magazines:
The New York times on the Web
Holdings:
(Bryn Mawr College) Available from 1851-present.
(Haverford College) Available from 1851-present.
(Swarthmore College) Available from 1851-present.
Publisher: [New York, N.Y.] : New York Times.
Searchable full text of all New York Times papers from the first issue in 1851 to recent years. Useful for finding American attitudes and reactions like this article which approves of Japan's growing strength against the European powers:
Ends Dream of White Race: Prof. Knox Says the War Makes Japan Master of the Far East Sept. 5, 1905.
In an address on "Japan, a World Power," at the Quaker Hill conference to-day, Prof. George William Knox of Union Theological seminary declared that the victory of Japan wiped out the most shameful programme that had ever been conceived-- the proposed partition of China. ...
Ends Dream of White Race: Prof. Knox Says the War Makes Japan Master of the Far East Sept. 5, 1905.
In an address on "Japan, a World Power," at the Quaker Hill conference to-day, Prof. George William Knox of Union Theological seminary declared that the victory of Japan wiped out the most shameful programme that had ever been conceived-- the proposed partition of China. ...
North-China herald.
Publisher: Shanghai [etc.] North-China Daily News & Herald.
Leading English-language Shanghai newspaper, 1850-1941. In microfilm. Addressed to the large English-speaking expatriot audience throughout China.
Sample articles describe the situation just prior to the killings of foreigners in Peking during the Boxer Rebellion.
Sample articles describe the situation just prior to the killings of foreigners in Peking during the Boxer Rebellion.
Travel accounts:
The eastern wonderland
Publisher: London ; Cassell & company, [19--]
This account of Japan was written for English children and presented as a story told by a Japanese student in London to his host family's little girl. It describes his childhood and all the things he enjoyed there. It is heavily illustrated.
Inscribed landscapes
Publisher: Berkeley : University of Calif. Press, c1994.
"Alongside the scores of travel books about China written by foreign visitors, Chinese travelers' impressions of their own country rarely appear in translation. This anthology is the only comprehensive collection in English of Chinese travel writing from the first century A.D. through the nineteenth. Early examples of the genre describe sites important for their geography, history, and role in cultural mythology, but by the T'ang dynasty in the mid eighth century certain historiographical and poetic discourses converged to form the "travel account" (yu-chi) and later the "travel diary" (jih-chi) as vehicles of personal expression and autobiography. These first-person narratives provide rich material for understanding the attitudes of Chinese literati toward place, nature, politics, and the self." "The anthology is abundantly illustrated with paintings, portraits, maps, and drawings. Each selection is meticulously translated, carefully annotated, and prefaced by a brief description of the writer's life and work. The entire collection is introduced by an in-depth survey of the rise of Chinese travel writing as a cultural phenomenon. Inscribed Landscapes provides a unique resource for travelers as well as for scholars of Chinese literature, art, and history."--BOOK JACKET.
A reader in Edo period travel
Publisher: Folkestone, Kent, UK : Global oriental, 2006.
"Largely ignored hitherto by Western scholars, Plutschow's Edo Period Travel provides the first in-depth study of the subject which is centred on fifteen of the period's most notable travellers, some of whom are well known in other fields - as intellectuals, artists, poets, folklorists and natural scientists, for example - but rarely, if at all, as travellers." "The first traveller put in the spotlight is the celebrated intellectual and botanist Kaibara Ekiken (1630-1714) and the last is the explorer of Ezo (now Hokkaido) and government official Matsuura Takeshiro (1818-88). Such was the thirst for knowledge in the Edo period that some travel accounts (estimated to number over 2000) became best-sellers in their day, not least for their voyeuristic appeal, including those of Kaibara Ekiken and Tachibana Nankei, which are included in this volume." "Of particular interest also is the author's discussion on the nature of this new travel writing and the self-centred observation and 'seeing' that developed in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, which he calls the 'Japanese Enlightenment'."--BOOK JACKET.
East Asian Studies at Haverford College:
To give some context to the use of primary sources like the examples above, this section gives information on senior theses done at Haverford College on Chinese and Japanese history topics, courses and faculty.
Senior Theses
Most students at Haverford College write a thesis during their senior year. They need to do research, and for history majors that means analyzing primary sources. The thesis is an extended exercise in shaping narrative, criticism, and argument with many papers running 80 to 100 pages.
Thesis Examples:
William Lotto. Second Class People: A Case Study on the Political and Cultural Rights of Japanese Women throughout the 19th and 20th Centuries. 2007
Meredith Zackey. A Comparative Study of the Effects of Gender on Travel Writing in Pierre Loti's Madame Chrysanthème and Lady Mary Wortley Montagu's Turkish Embassy Letters. 2007
Deborah Chen. "Christian Gentlemen and Thorough Doctors": The Establishment of Medical Missionary Education in Guangzhou. 2004
Matthew Voss. The Giraffe and the Elephant: A Comparative Study of Chinese and Portuguese Maritime Expansion in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries. 2001
Joanna Frang. The House Customs Built: How Foreigners Found Their Place in the Chinese Maritime Customs Service. 2001
Courses
Courses for East Asian Studies-- History, Languages, and Literature-- are offered in conjunction with nearby Bryn Mawr College.