Gōshū Nanpō Tairiku Oyobi Nyūjīrando Chōhakuun

Tsuchiya, Motosaku.

Osaka: Asahi Shinbunsha, Taishō 5 [1916]. First edition.

A detailed photographic record of the cultures and geographies of Australia and New Zealand, for Japanese readers, with many black and white photographic illustrations of the native animals, landscapes, cities, and indigenous peoples of the two countries. The book includes images of famous Australians, the Melbourne Cup, the Blue Mountains, a memorial of the Eureka Stockade, Auckland, a performance of the Haka, Maori customs and dwellings, and so on. A fold-out map of Australia and New Zealand and a fold-out plate of photographic illustrations of Maori women, New Zealand landscapes, and native animals of New Zealand are particular highlights. A first edition of this highly illustrated Japanese record of Australia and New Zealand, surprisingly detailed for a Taishō period book on the subject. 

Original boards, debossed image of Australia to upper, corners lightly bumped. Stain to board extremities, large stain and abrasion to spine, not affecting tightness of binding. Light foxing to text block edges. Occasional foxing and marks to text. Overall good only. Comes with scarce original slipcase, a little foxed and with some dents to extremities. 1 v., complete. 8, [4], 193, 6, 170 p., [40] leaves of plates. 22.4 x 15.8 cm. Text in Japanese.