A letter of intent

Japanese: 口書 - くちがき

〘noun〙① A type of legal document from the Edo period. In civil cases, it records the statements of both the plaintiff and defendant, while in criminal cases, it records the statements of the suspect and other people involved. A kojogaki was used only by farmers and townspeople, while samurai, monks, and priests were called kojogaki . ※Umezu Masakage's Diary - August 26, 1612 (Keicho 17) "We also looked at the kojogaki of those who had records of comings and goings in and out." ② A record prepared by an inspector during the Edo period. When an incident requiring an inspector such as a sudden death, murder, or injury occurs, the statements of those involved are recorded at the scene. ※From the Joruri play Keisei Hangonko (around 1708), "We wrote kojogaki for each miscellaneous event." ③ The act of writing or drawing with a brush held in the mouth. Also, something written like that. ④ The beginning of a piece of writing. Also, a prologue, etc. ※Ukiyo-zoshi, Gozen - Gikeiki (1700) 5 "Information informing me that a guest from the countryside will be attending tonight"

Ko-sho [written message]

〘 noun 〙 In the Edo period, the transcription of oral dictations made by parties in a lawsuit in court. Kuchigaki. ※Letter from Yoshida Shoin to Tsuchiya Shokai - September 3, 1854 (Ansei 1) "The following is an incident in which oral dictations were made by parties in a lawsuit in court."

Source: The Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary About the Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary Information

Japanese:

〘名〙① 江戸時代の訴訟文書の一種。出入筋（民事訴訟）では、原告、被告双方の申分を、吟味筋（刑事訴訟）では、被疑者、関係者を訊問して得られた供述を記したもの。口書は百姓、町人にだけ用いられ、武士、僧侶、神官の分は口上書(こうじょうがき)といった。※梅津政景日記‐慶長一七年（1612）八月二六日「又出入の様子存たるもの共の口書にて見申候」② 江戸時代、検使役人が作成した調書のこと。変死や殺人、傷害など検使を要する事件が発生した際、現場で関係者の供述を記したもの。※浄瑠璃・傾城反魂香（1708頃）中「雑式一々口書きし」③ 筆を口にくわえて文字や絵をかくこと。また、そのかかれたもの。④ 文章の書き始めの部分。また、序文など。※浮世草子・御前義経記（1700）五「先口書(クチガキ)に今晩田舎の御客御座候に付」