Evening Tales of Bansui: A Clarification of Misunderstandings in Theories about the Dutch

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Ōtsuki, Bansui [Gentaku] [dictated by]; Arima, Genchō [text by]; Koshimura, Shikyo [proofread by].

[Seishū, Anatsu Higashi-machi: Yamagataya Tōsuke, Kansei 11 (1799)?].

The record of a dialogue between famous Dutch studies scholar Ōtsuki Gentaku (1757-1827) and student Arima on fifty topics relating to the Dutch, including food, wine, tobacco, glass utensils, electricity, medicine and surgery. The book, believed to have been dictated and transcribed in 1788, is in an interview format, with the student asking questions (often regarding the truth of various rumours) and Gentaku replying. The text includes illustrations of utensils, glass objects, animals, plants, and world maps. For a full translation of the intriguing text, see Grant Kohn Goodman's "A Translation of Otsuki Gentaku's Ransetsu Benwaku" in Occasional papers - Center for Japanese Studies, No. 3 (Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1952).

On double leaves, fukurotoji-style. Original wrappers, slightly soiled, wormholes repaired, ex-ownership sticker to upper. Original daisen title slip, volume statement removed. Extremities trimmed. Ex-ownership stamps to upper pastedown and first page of text. Leaves wormholed, professionally repaired with washi. 2 v. bound in 1, complete. 3, 7, 3, 2, 34, 25, 6 leaves. 17 x 12.4 cm.

Evening Tales of Bansui: A Clarification of Misunderstandings in Theories about the Dutch
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