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KAEMPFER, Engelbert. The History of Japan giving the account of the ancient and present state and government of that empire; of its temples, palaces, castles and other buildings; of its metals, minerals, trees, plants, animals, birds and fishes; of the chronology and succession of the emperors, ecclesiastical and secular..., London: printed for the translation [the publisher & sold by T. Woodward & C. Davis], 1727-28. 2 volumes, 2 (342 x 221mm.), titles printed in red and black, additional engraved title in volume I, 45 engraved plates, all but one folding or double-page, woodcut initials and headpieces (margins of plates 24, 30 and 36 cropped just affecting image, lower margin of plate 39 stained, upper margin of G2 cleanly torn affecting heading, a few stains or spots), contemporary panelled calf (rebacked, lightly rubbed), old ownership inscription on title.
A good copy of this work which proved to be the main source of Western knowledge of Japan in the 18th century. This issue contains the first printing of the second appendix by Simon Delboe, Hamond Gibben and William Ramsden, an account of a voyage to Japan by an English vessel in 1673. The History of Japan, published posthumously, was translated by J. G. Scheuchzer and published by Sir Hans Sloane. It contains a biography of Kaempfer, "an account of his journey, a history and description of Japan and its fauna, a description of Nagasaki and Deshima; a report on two emabssies to Edo with a description of the cities which were visited on the way; and six appendixes, on tea, Japanese paper, acupuncture, moxa, ambergris, and Japan's seclusion policy". Kempfer, a well-known German physician and naturalist, was appointed in 1689 to accompany the annual voyage to Japan of the East India Company as a physician. (DSB). cf. Cox I, 332; Wellcome III, 376.
A good copy of this work which proved to be the main source of Western knowledge of Japan in the 18th century. This issue contains the first printing of the second appendix by Simon Delboe, Hamond Gibben and William Ramsden, an account of a voyage to Japan by an English vessel in 1673. The History of Japan, published posthumously, was translated by J. G. Scheuchzer and published by Sir Hans Sloane. It contains a biography of Kaempfer, "an account of his journey, a history and description of Japan and its fauna, a description of Nagasaki and Deshima; a report on two emabssies to Edo with a description of the cities which were visited on the way; and six appendixes, on tea, Japanese paper, acupuncture, moxa, ambergris, and Japan's seclusion policy". Kempfer, a well-known German physician and naturalist, was appointed in 1689 to accompany the annual voyage to Japan of the East India Company as a physician. (DSB). cf. Cox I, 332; Wellcome III, 376.