“Shisho” (Book of Poetry) by Tesshu Yamaoka, handwritten, hanging scroll, shakuhachi size. The paper has been washed and the mounting has been newly redone. Total length: 6 shaku 3 sun (191 cm) Length of roller ends: 2 shaku 5 sun 3 bu (77 cm) Paper dimensions: 133.5 x 60 cm With a paulownia wood box. Tesshu Yamaoka Born in 1836, died in 1888 Common name: Tetsutaro, Art name: Ichirakusai A retainer of the Shizuoka domain in Suruga Province. Director of the Roshi-gumi (Ronin Group) of the Edo Shogunate, head of the infantry of the elite troops, and a key manager. Official rank: Gon-daisanji of Shizuoka Prefecture, Sanji of Ibaraki Prefecture, Ritsuryo of Imari Prefecture, Jiju, Dainojo of Kunaicho, Shosho of Kunaicho, Viscount, Machi-sani, Order of the Second Class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure. Lord: Iemochi Tokugawa, Yoshinobu Tokugawa → Emperor Meiji Founder of the Itto Shoden Muto-ryu (sword style) One of the Three Vessels of the Bakumatsu period (Kaisyu, Tesshu, and Deishu) A master of swordsmanship, Zen, and calligraphy. A key figure in the bloodless surrender of Edo Castle. Prior to the meeting between Kaishu Katsu and Takamori Saigo, he was ordered by Yoshinobu Tokugawa to go alone to the camp of the Meiji government army general, Saigo, to negotiate. At this time, he stubbornly refused the last of Saigo's five conditions, "Shogun Yoshinobu will be placed under the care of the Bizen domain," and argued with Saigo, who threatened him with "an imperial order," saying, "If you were in the same position, you would not have accepted this condition." Saigo, moved by Tesshu's sincerity, who risked his life to enter the enemy camp alone and devoted himself to his loyalty in order to protect the lives of the one million people of Edo and his lord, guaranteed Yoshinobu's safety. Saigo praised him, saying, "A person who doesn't need money, fame, or life is troublesome, but without such a person, great achievements in the world cannot be accomplished." After the Meiji Restoration, he served Emperor Meiji as a Jiju (Chamberlain) at the request of Saigo.