I first met my good friend, Keith Webb when he moved to Japan and became a member of the Japan Sherlock Holmes Club in 1991. Since then he has been a very active and enthusiastic Sherlockian. Not long after arriving, he became one of the founders of The Japanese Cabinet, a Japanese branch of British society The Franco-Midland Hardware Company. Through this society Keith publishes the only English language newsletter produced in Japan, The Dispatch Box, to communicate Japanese Sherlockian information around the world. His efforts to spread the word about Japanese activities is highly valued and appreciated by Japanese Sherlockians.

The new book in your hands is high quality research (Sherlockiana). At the same time, I believe it will serve as a bridge to promote mutual understanding between Japanese and overseas Sherlockians. It is my desire for this book to be read by as many Sherlockians as possible, because I believe it will foster increased exchange and interaction between the world’s Sherlockians, and for this I am grateful.