【英語原文】
Kobe, Thursday; August 4th '92
Dear Nishida:―
I received your second kind letter, but have not been able to answer it till now,―as the breaking of the railroad rendered it necessary to change my plans a little. I must miss Miyajima, and take a steamer here today for Sakai, and thence make for Oki. On my return I can stop at Hamada, as you suggest,
or at Sakai or Mionoseki. Returning I shall stop at the Kagawa Hotel at Sakai,―so that a letter will catch me there.
―Meanwhile I have had a letter from Mr. Kano, saying that he expects this month to go for a couple of weeks to Kagoshima. Should you visit Kumamoto this month, therefore, I fear you might find him absent. Perhaps you might like to see Kagoshima, however: I think it must be more interesting than Kumamoto;―besides, it is by the sea. On your way back I would recommend you if possible to pass a day or two at Hakata. It is pretty, and there is a good beach. The Ishida is not a bad hotel; but the best hotel I ever saw in Japan is the Nikkoya, at Kyoto. It is small, but exquisite; it is expensive, but perfect. The attendance is like that of being waited upon by angels.
I have been to Nara.saw the mighty Daibutz, fed the deer, beheld the miko dance. It was very different, that dance, from the dance at Kitzuki. But it was pretty, and the girls were charming as flower-buds.
However, the lzumo coast interests me much more than either Kyotoor Nara, and I am anxious to get there. Settsu is getting strong again, but she is very thin compared with what she used to be. She hopes very much to see you on our way back. I think it can be managed, because even if you could meet me only about the end of the month I will still have 10 days to spare for getting back to Kumamoto.
Settsu sends kindest remembrance, I best wishes,
Ever most truly
Lafcadio Hearn
Tokiwasha, Kobe.