Woodblock prints of Westerners and USS Susquehanna Unique selection of early illustrations mounted in contemporary album
[Japan] A very interesting sort of scrapbook presumably compiled by someone named Miyoshi Hatsutaro, whose name is on the rear cover. The title slip on the cover reads, 'Gasshu Koku Jinbutsu narabi Jokisen Zue' ['American People along with an Illustration of a Steamship']. The book begins with another title, 'Jokisen jinbutsu Taihan Zue' ['Illustrations of Crew and Steamship Under Sail'] and then nine woodblock printed illustrations, beginning with Commodore Perry, other navy figures, a black man, and one illustration of what appears to be Krusenstern (presumably Adam Johann von Krusenstern). Following is a wonderful woodblock printed illustration of a so-called 'Black Ship' and interestingly is labelled, 'Susquehanna', in Japanese. The dimensions of the vessel are given and the number of crew is listed as 300. The remainder of the album contains contemporary woodblock printed cuttings (probably from kawaraban newspaper sheets that were popular in the 1850s and 1860s) and ends with a colour woodblock print of samurai (probably from a larger print or prints). Our research has found that the title inside the front cover, the colour illustrations of the nine people, and the illustration of the ship were all cut from one single sheet and neatly pasted into this book.
12 leaves. 20.3 x 13.8cm.
In good to very good condition. Covers with wear and some minor damage. Internally very good with only minor marks and minor creasing. b36121747
