Travel
HIROKAWA, Kai
Nagasaki Bunken Roku [Personal Experiences in Nagasaki]
Okada Shinjiro, Osaka Kansei 12 [ie. 1800]. First edition. 5 volumes, complete. Numerous woodblock illustrations. Original blindstamped covers with printed title-slips, slightly worn, light staining and occasional minor worming, but generally in good condition. Modern chitsu.
Rare and important account by the Imperial surgeon Hirokawa Kai, dates unknown, collected during his stay in Nagasaki. The author was a important rangaku scholar who translated several Dutch works. Boxer describes this work as "one of the principl sources of information about Deshima and its occupants", Boxer: Jan Compagnie in Japan. p. 132. The illustrations show scenes from daily life, festivals -dragonboat race, plants and animals, as well as Chinese and Dutch ships. Not in Kerlen; Oka/Kodama 3032; Chibett 148, [Kraft 4?].
Price: £ 3750
US Dollar Price: $ 7440
Stock Number: 44826