[Japan
by Outsuki, Gentaku
[Japan: mid-19th century]. Manuscript copy, fifteen volumes in ten, fukurotoji, 10.5 x 7.25 in; 107 color illustrations total, including 25 double-page images and 3 maps, with 5 illustrations of Russian clothing including movable flaps; blue paper covers; covers soiled, scattered light worming with neat repairs; very good. In 1793 the Japanese vessel Wakamiyamaru was disabled in a storm, and its crew shipwrecked in Northern Russia. The 15 survivors were taken in by the locals, and remained in Russia for 8 years, until in 1803 four of the sailors, Tsudayu, Gihei, Sahei and Tajuro, joined Adam Johann von Krusenstern's crew in Russia's first circumnavigation of the globe. One of Krusenstern's objectives was to open relations with Japan, then still completely closed to foreign relations outside a small Dutch presence. Krusenstern's mission, and particularly his Japanese passengers, excited much interest in Japan, as at that time almost no Japanese had experienced the world outside of the country. The sailors were thuroughly interrogated by a number of people, including the Dutch studies expert Outsuki Gentaku, who compiled an account of their adventures. The interrogation took 40 days, and in the end they had an extensive account, not only of Russia but of Denmark, England, the Canary Islands, Brazil, the arctic seas, and elsewhere. This account was accompanied by a collection of images produced under the direction and correction of the sailors. The images of Russian clothing were made from the clothes the sailors themselves wore. The entire account was finally completed in 1807, and titled Kankai Ibun, or Curious tales from overseas. Kankai Ibun was very popular in Japan, and manuscript copies were produced in large numbers, but as information about outside Japan was still censored, it was not until 1899 that a printed edition was published. Our copy is a manuscript copy produced around the mid-19th century and contains the full account in 15 sections, plus the preface. Text is written in at least two hands, one being more legible than the other, with some corrections in red ink, and the illustrations are above average, with better and more detail and stronger color than many other copies. The 107 color illustrations include images of Kamchatka natives, Russian nobles, and tattooed islanders. Entertainments and spectacles are depicted, including a hot air baloon, the Kunstkamera with a room-sized globe, an encounter with an iceburg, and a Russian concert. Flora and fauna also receive some attention. There are two double-page images of Russian ships and two large maps, including one that shows the path of Krusenstern's expedition. The 8th part also contains a large Japanese-Russian word list.
(Inventory #: 67227)