Chōko Kyūridō Shōhon Chiten Shinzu (New Diagram of the Earth Revolving)

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Chōko Kyūridō Shōhon Chiten Shinzu ["New Diagram of the Earth Revolving"] 

Tsurumine, Shigenobu [created by].

[Japan: publisher unidentified], Bunsei 10 [1827].

An astronomical chart of the solar system created by Tsurumine Shigenobu (1788-1859), a scholar of mathematics, astronomy, and Japanese, Chinese and Western literature. In 1832, at the age of 45, Tsurumine moved to Edo and opened a private school where he taught theories (often regarding astronomy) that combined Japanese and Chinese classics with Dutch studies. The diagram created by Tsurumine in 1827 shows the Sun being orbited by Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The text describes Halley's Comet, Kirch's Comet, the 24 Chinese solar terms, the 12 constellations, gravity, the orbital motion of the earth, and the distance and rotation period of each planet. The commentary also provides a brief history of the theory, stating that it began in ancient Egypt, was transmitted by Pythagoras to Europe, established by Copernicus, and developed by Cassini and Newton. A fascinating record of the Japanese adoption of heliocentrism.

One fold-out (oritatami) sheet, woodblock-printed on one side. Scrapes to original wrappers, some wormholes internally. Original woodblock-printed daisen panel present. 30.5 x 82.5 cm.

Chōko Kyūridō Shōhon Chiten Shinzu (New Diagram of the Earth Revolving)
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