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[Edo 1806, Suharaya]. Stitched brown wrs., very good, 3 vol. set, complete, minor scuffing to covers, contents clean, woodblock printed on hand-made Washi paper, 19 x 26 cm., [35 +38+45] double folded leaves, clean, complete, 2nd edition. The original work was written by Oh Jaku Gen in Ming in Chinese in Meiwa 8th, 1771, then adapted to be Kambun, a form of easily read Japanese, with Furigana. It was published by Ko-bun-do in Kyoto * The work is illustrated with two examples and enhanced with several figures, one shows a youth with many 'poxes' on his face. * THE PREFACE DATE: The preface cites a 1771 date indicating this work was issued first in that year, in an edition of 2 volumes. The preface was then reprinted again in our copy, which is most likely the second revised edition, complete in 3 volumes. *** FIRST ARRIVAL OF MEASLES TO JAPAN: Measles first showed up in Japan in 988 A.D., it was known then as "Akamogasa" or "red pox." In both 1824 & 1862, there was a great epidemic of measles. *** CONDITION: The book covers were bound in blind-stamped swastika covers. There is some rubbing on the front & back covers near the edges of all volumes. The book is firmly bound and stitched. The contents are exceptionally bright and clean, free from any worming or issues. The text is solid, and very fresh. By and large an excellent example. *** RARITY: There are very few monographs from early China or Japan on the subject of Measles or Small pox. There was confusion about both of them in the 17-19th centuries in both countries. While there are recorded epidemics of both, little was known about curing or treating these horrible diseases. Large numbers of children commonly died of this "pox." *** THE AUTHOR'S ALTERNATE NAME: This author use an alternate, HATA Genji, who summarized the earlier original edition. *** REFERENCES: The work is not listed in any of the usual and standard references, although we have checked all of the below: . MESTLER, Gordon E.: A GALAXY OF OLD JAPANESE MEDICAL BOOKS WITH MISCELLANEOUS NOTES ON EARLY MEDICINE IN JAPAN: cites several other books on measles & small pox on pages 200, 169, 293, 204, 206, 298, 205, 293 et. al. * FUJIKAWA, Y.: JAPANESE MEDICINE: measles: pp.75,76,82,84, & 86. * WHITNEY, Willis N.: NOTES ON THE HISTORY OF MEDICAL PROGRESS IN JAPAN. See many others on measles listed on p.446. * KERLEN, H.: CATALOGUE OF PRE-MEIJI JAPANESE BOOKS & MAPS IN PUBLIC COLLECTIONS IN THE NETHERLANDS. ***.
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