This volume consists mainly of letters exchanged between Sir Ernest Satow (1843-1929) and his former subordinate John Harington Gubbins (1852-1929) in their retirement, from 1906 to 1927.
There are also some letters from Satow to the Japanese art collector and businessman the Hon. Henry Marsham (1845-1908) in the period 1894-1907. An expert foreword by Dr. J.E. Hoare, formerly of HM Diplomatic Service and a teaching fellow at SOAS, is included.
Volume I consists of Satow's correspondence with William George Aston and Frederick Victor Dickins, and is mainly on Japanology. Volume III consists of Satow's correspondence with Lord Reay, on international law and the social, political and economic situation in Europe and the UK before, during and after World War One.