Seiyō Bunkenroku (Record of Things Seen and Heard about the West)

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Seiyō Bunkenroku ["Record of Things Seen and Heard about the West"]

Murata, Fumio [compiled by].

Hiroshima: Izutsuya Shōjirō, Meiji 2-4 [1869-1871].

A complete set of this illustrated record of the history, politics, society, government, geography, and customs of Britain. The compiler, Murata Fumio (1836-1891), is better known as Nomura Fumio, the journalist and founder of the satirical magazines Marumaru Chinbun and Kibi Dango. In 1865 he left Japan illegally and lived for 19 months in Scotland before travelling to Europe, where he observed the 1867 Paris Exposition. He returned to Japan in 1868 and began publishing this work, the result of his overseas studies, the next year. Coffee, fire engines, newspapers, taxation, and an interesting miscellany of other topics are discussed. The work also includes three folding plates, several in-text illustrations, and a 24-page section of tables providing statistics on various Western countries. Despite the title, only the last two volumes are about the "West" (e.g. Europe, America) in general. The wrappers of each volume have been decorated with a remarkable tsuyadashi monyō (burnished design) featuring a pattern and the words "Edited by F. Murata". Wahon wrappers featuring burnished characters in English are uncommon, even for the Meiji period.

Eight four-hole-bound (yotsumetoji) volumes, complete, on double leaves, traditional East Asian binding style (fukurotoji). Original wrappers lightly scuffed and mottled. Daisen tears and chip to edge of upper wrapper of v.1. Continuous light foot stain and chip to edge of upper wrapper of v.6. Lower left corners bumped. Occasional light marks and creases internally. Ex-ownership stamps to first page of each volume. First two volumes continuously paginated. 6, 3, 5, 8, 34; 40; 24, 5, [1]; 3, 3, 41; 38; 30; 24, 13, 3, [1] leaves. 22.7 x 15.8 cm.

Seiyō Bunkenroku (Record of Things Seen and Heard about the West)
Price: $1,260.00 (USD)