A story of the Otokodate of Yedo = Banzuiin Chōbē

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A story of the Otokodate of Yedo = Banzuiin Chōbē

[Redesdale, Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford (original text by)]; White, J.L. [corrected by].

Tokyo: Shoeido, Meiji 35 [1902]. Sixth edition.

A translation of the work Banzuiin Chōbē by the British diplomat and Japanologist Algernon Bertram Mitford, 1st Baron Redesdale (1837 - 1916). The text recounts the story of the eponymous Banzuiin Chōbē, the most famed member of the Otokodate. According to Redesdale's text, 

"The Otokodate were friendly associations of brave men bound together by an obligation to stand by one another in weal or in woe, regardless of their own lives, and without inquiring into one another's antecedents. A bad man, however, having joined the Otokodate must forsake his evil ways; for their principle was to treat the oppressor as an enemy, and to help the feeble as a father does his child. If they had money, they gave it to those that had none, and their charitable deeds won for them the respect of all men". 

The translated text was originally published in Redesdale's Tales of old Japan (1871). This version includes a "Note on Asakusa", a "Note on the game of football", and a one-page illustration. All editions scarce. 

One volume, complete. Original wrappers mellowed, minor loss to spine, lower wrapper slightly foxed. Small marks to textblock edges. A few small marks internally. [1] illustrated page, 53 pages. 18 x 12.1 cm. Text in English.

A story of the Otokodate of Yedo = Banzuiin Chōbē
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