Kaigai hiyō shūbunshū [Foreign secrets collected and reported]

US$3,285.00

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Kaigai Hiyō Shūbunshū ["Foreign Secrets Collected and Reported"]

Shibukawa, Rokuzō ... [et al.] [original works by]; [Asano, Miyoshi (transcribed by)?].

[Nōshū, Iwate, ca. Kaei 7 (1854)]. Manuscript.

A compilation of records of letters and essays regarding attempts by Russia, the Netherlands, and North America to open Japan to trade. The index lists eight records: (1) a letter to the King of the Netherlands (King Willem II) and his representative, the 'Captain', (2) a letter from the Captain translated into Japanese, (3) a letter to America drafted by medical practitioners, (4) an essay on the defence of the seas by the Tokugawa Nariaki, (5) a draft reply letter to America, (6) a report on Nagasaki's reception of a Russian Envoy, (7) Japanese translations of correspondences between the governments of Russia and Japan, and (8) a letter to the "Grand Duke" of Mito about the arrival of American ships. The text also compiles a list of gifts offered to the regent of Japan by the King of the Netherlands, Shibukawa Rokuzō's translation of a letter (drafted by German physician Philipp Franz von Siebold (1796-1866)) from King Willem II requesting Japan open to trade with the Netherlands, a list of the names of ships arrived from the Netherlands, and related records. A neatly written volume offering a wealth of information on foreign countries' attempts to establish trade relations with Japan.

One volume, complete, on double leaves, fukurotoji style. Original wrappers lightly scraped and with a few small wormholes, mounted daisen panel in manuscript. Small marks and occasional wormholes internally. Housed in non-original custom slipcase. [108] leaves. 23.5 x 16.5 cm. Text in Japanese, Chinese, and kanbun.

Kaigai hiyō shūbunshū [Foreign secrets collected and reported]
Price: $3,285.00 (USD)