本文所解读的日本外交官小田切万寿之助致盛宣怀的五封函稿,属自1898年至1901年期间小田切在署上海总领事任上,与盛宣怀交往留下的文字资料,是那一时期中日两国关系演变进程之重要见证。这些函稿既反映小田切在沪的活动已经远远超越了作为领事的工作职能和范围,预示今后他在日中外交关系领域的能量,又反映盛宣怀涉足清廷最高层的政治 The interpretation of this article by Japanese diplomat Odawara Ransom’s contribution to Sheng Xuanhuai five letters, belong to the period from 1898 to 1901 Oda cut Consulate General in Shanghai on the post, and Sheng Xuanhuai stay in the text data, during that period China and Japan The important evidence of the evolution of the relations between the two countries. These letters not only reflect that Oda’s activities in Shanghai have gone far beyond the functions and scope of his consular duties, heralded his energy in the field of diplomatic relations between Japan and China in the future, and reflected Sheng’s involvement in politics at the highest level of the Qing court