Kaibo Igi - Manuscript of Pre-Perry visits. 9 vols with only known Japanese illustration of Capt. James Biddle
[Japan] A fascinating set of nine manuscript volumes containing various discussions of Japan's coastal defences prior to Perry's first visit in 1853. The final supplementary volume contains hand-drawn illustrations of foreign vessels as well as an illustration of Captain James Biddle sitting on a chair. Biddle (1783-1848) captained USS Vincennes and in 1846 anchored with USS Columbus at the mouth to Edo Bay in an unsuccessful attempt to open up Japan to trade with the United States. The illustration incorrectly states that he was 70 years old, but he was actually only about 63 years old at the time of his visit to Japan. The other volumes contain discussions of foreign vessels and attempts to make contact with Japan written by various scholars and officials, including Gamo Kumpei (1768-1813), Hirayama Gyozo [or Kozo] (1759-1828), Kamei Shoyo (1773-1836), Matsumoto Tokizo (1795-1841), Asaka Gonsai (1791-1861), Tooyama Kagemoto (1793-1855), Takano Choei (1804-50), Saito Setsuzo (1797-1865), Watanabe Kazan (1793-1841), Sakuma Shozan (1811-64), Shiotani Kozo, Shioda Jun'an (1805-71), and a few others. The contents page lists the volumes and supplement volume indicating this is a complete set.
No place [probably Edo]. Edited by Shioda Jun'an. 1849.
9 volumes. Vol. 1 - 62 leaves, Vol.2 - 42 leaves, Vol. 3 - 57 leaves, Vol. 4 - 42 leaves, Vol. 5 - 42 leaves, Vol. 6-7 (bound together) - 78 leaves, Vol. 8 - 71 leaves, Vol. 9 - 70 leaves, Supplementary Vol. - 71 leaves.
In very good condition. A few volumes with some minor worm trails but nothing series. General age wear only. Each volume with dated (1935) collection stamps and small labels of the defunct Kenshin Gakuen of Kyoto. In recent, custom made folding case. b35011321b
