Document 3: An affidavit confirming the relinquishment of land rights

為茂田地去状

 

（異筆）「□之趣、

承了、（花押）」　　

故三郎入道しなのとのに、西山田

一反九十歩をゆつりたてまつる

うゑハ、為茂さらにいらんさ

またけを申候ましく候、仍

去状如件、

　　正中二年八月廿二日

　　　　　　　　　為茂（花押）　　　　　

An affidavit confirming the relinquishment of land rights (sarijō) from Tameshige (Tameshige denchi sarijō).

□’s meaning is received (Monogram)1

I gave the late Honorable Shinano Saburō novice (nyūdō) one tan and ninety bu of land2. Provided this, I Tameshige will not dispute these claims henceforth3. This quitclaim (sarijō) is thus.　

The second year of Shōchū [1325], on the twenty second day of the eighth month

Tameshige (Monogram)　　

 

1. Written in a different hand. The monogram is of the steel-blue color favored by Ashikaga Takauji. It resembles that of Hōjō Takatoki, the last Kamakura regent (tokusō).

2. One tan is 1067 square feet, while one bu is 35.58 square feet. Together this amount would be 4269 square feet, which is just under a tenth of an acre, which has 43560 square feet.

3. This means that he will forever renounce his claims to this land.