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Engelbert Kaempfer : The History of Japan, giving an Account of the Ancient and Present State and Government of that Empirem 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; of The Original Descent, Religions, Customs, and Manufactures of the Natives, and of their Trade and Commerce with the Dutch and Chinese. Together wth a Description of the Kingdom of Siam

for the Publisher and sold by Thomas Woodward and Charles Davis,, London, 1728

Contemporary paneled calf with blind and gilt tooled, rebacked tastefully in matching densely gilt calf with raised bands. Title in black and red.,
Text and plates are generally clean, blank corner of 6R1 restored, repair in outer margin of plate 21 slightly affecting rule border. Generally a fine and handsome copy. A variant copy, plate 7 is a map of Khurissima in original color by Kaempfer rather than the usual pyramid in the second court of Berklam’s Temple.
, Small Folio (347mm x 221m, P. Vol 1: Title, Blank, Title, Printer’s Imprint, dedication (3), Blank, Contents (2), Names of Subscribers (4), Index (6), Preface (i-iv), Life of the Author (v-xv), Introduction (xvi-lii); Book 1: 1-141, Blank; Book 2: 143-202; Book 3: 203-252; Book 4: 253-391, Plate explanation 392-395; Vol 2: Title, Pinter’s Imprint, Contents (2), Book 5: 393- 612, Appendix 1- 75, Blank, Second Appendix: Title, Preface (1), 1-11, Explanation of the plates (4)., Illustrated with 45 plates of Japanese scenery, wildlife, and culture including large folding map of Japan, a plan of Nagasaki and a map Khurissima in original color. , Volume : 5 Book in 2 Volumes

Kaempfer, physician of the Dutch Embassy to the Emperor’s Court gives an account of the Ancient and Present State of government of that Empire, of its Temples, Palaces and chronological succession of the Emperors together with a description of the political, social & physical state of the country in the 17th century.

“…for more than a century the chief source of western knowledge of the country. It contains the first biography of Kaempfer, an account of his journey, a history and description of Japan and its fauna…and six appendices, on tea, Japanese paper, acupuncture, moxa, ambergris, and Japan’s seclusion policy” (DSB). The 1728 edition is enlarged with a second appendix containing an account of an English voyage to Japan in 1673. DSB VII, 205; Garrison-Morton 6374.11 note; Landwehr VOC 530 note.

There is a mis-pagination on the 42nd plate. The plate number reads 22 instead of 42.
, Cordier, Japonica p. 414-15; Cox I:332;Howgego 1 K1;

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