The History of Japan: Giving an Account of the antient and present State and Government of that Empire; of its temples, palaces, castles, and other buildings; of its of the emperors, ecclesiastical and secular; of the original descent, religions, customs,

This is a rare or used book from the Berkelouw Rare Books Department.

London: Published by Thomas Woodward and Charles Davis, 1727-1728. Folio. Orig. full old calf with gilt-lined border on covers. Spines uniformly gilt in compartments and with raised bands. (ii, xii, lii, 395, iv, 393-612, 76, ii, 12, xpp.). With 45 mostly folding maps and plates, as well as the additional engrv. title dated 1727. The two title-pages printed in red/black ink are dated 1728 and 1727, respectively. 1st ed. of this highly important pioneering work on the author's exploration to Japan in 1690 having sailed from Batavia via Siam as a physician with the Dutch East India Company. This work remained the principal source of European knowledge of Japan for over a century. It contains the first biography of Kaempfer; an account of his travels; a history and descriptions of the fauna; and an account of Nagasaki, Deshima, and Edo (Tokyo). A particularly fine crisp complete copy. The armorial bookplates of The Right Hon. Henry Hobhouse inside front cover.