Falconry Manuscript (2 results)
More imagesPublished by [Kanazawa?, 18th century].
- Softcover
Seller: Antiquariat INLIBRIS Gilhofer Nfg. GmbH, Vienna, A, AustriaAntiquariat INLIBRIS Gilhofer Nfg. GmbH
Contact seller5-star sellerCondition: Used
US$ 29,365.27
US$ 34.21 shippingShips from Austria to U.S.A.Quantity: 1 available
4to (172 x 233 mm). Japanese illustrated manuscript, ink and colours on Japanese paper. 27 leaves. With numerous illustrations of several types of prey, including a number of water fowl and game birds together with several images of the goshawk and fine details of a number of feathers. Stitched as issued in the original blue wra…ppers with hand-lettered paper label on one cover. Stored in a custom-made green morocco-backed clamshell box, spine lettered "Takazukasa" in gilt. A highly attractive illustrated Japanese work on falconry (Takagari), probably copied from an earlier manuscript as part of the education of aspiring falconers. "Falconry is first documented in the Nihon shoki (Japan's official chronicle, compiled in 720), where it is said to have been introduced by a Korean courtier in 359 AD. Falconry appears in many literary works, beginning with the Manyoshu poetry anthology of the 8th century, and was practiced by the ruling elites until the end of the 19th century. Emperors, nobles and members of the Samurai class retained falconers; ceremonial and technical aspects of falconry were developed. Several families established their own schools of falconry around the 14th century, and the teachings of those schools were transmitted through generations" (Harvard exhibition, online). - The short treatise is adorned with numerous appealing illustrations done in pen and ink, including instructions on the construction of stands, and with several images of the goshawk, fine details of a number of feathers, and illustrations of several types of prey, including a number of water fowl and game birds. - Covers rubbed and worn along margins, a dampstain affecting upper corner throughout. A number of worm-trails throughout, the most prominent affecting the outer margins of the upper cover and the first 16 leaves, with some loss of text and image. Spine slightly faded. - Provenance: from the collection of the Swedish artist and author Gunnar Brusewitz (1924-2004) with his bookplate on the inside cover of the box. Brusewitz was much interested in nature and wildlife, and his large library, assembled over more than 60 years, reflected this interest, as well as his fascination with the history of hunting.
More imagesPublished by Central Asia / Afghanistan, [1689/90 CE =] 1101 H., 1689
Seller: Antiquariat INLIBRIS Gilhofer Nfg. GmbH, Vienna, A, AustriaAntiquariat INLIBRIS Gilhofer Nfg. GmbH
Contact seller5-star sellerCondition: Used
US$ 17,619.16
US$ 34.21 shippingShips from Austria to U.S.A.Quantity: 1 available
8vo (150 x 240 mm). Persian manuscript on paper. (4), 62 (misnumbered: 63, omitting fol. 19), 64 (misnumbered: 58, leaping back to 24 after 23 but lacking fols. 38-39) ff.; 64 (instead of 70) ff. (lacking fols. 25-30). 15 lines of black and occasional red ink script. Rebound in full red morocco using the original covers. A colle…ctive manuscript on falconry, including the famous "Baz-nama" of Khushal Khan, the Afghan national poet, copied in the area of Afghanistan within a year after the passing of the author. - This fine and early manuscript contains two separate treatises on falconry, the latter one being the "Book of Falconry" of Kushal Khan Katak, the father of Pashto literature, written in verse. The first English translation, prepared by Sami ur Rahman and dedicated to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, appeared in Islamabad as recently as 2014: "What makes Khushal's 'Baaz Nama' unique is its poetical form. Perhaps there is no other work in world literature that treats the subject matter in verse on the one hand and keeps its systematic exposition and professionalism intact on the other [.] Khushal's manual is pretty concise and cogent. There are no long-drawn and tedious accounts. The style and diction are extremely down-to-earth" (translator's note, p. xiv). - The present manuscript contains a colophon at the end stating that it was copied by Muhammad Khan in 1101 AH, within a year of the death of its author on 5 Jumada I, 1100 AH, and it may thus command a high degree of textual authority. A renowned Pakistani warrior, Khushal Khan Khatak (1613-89) long served the Mughal Empire, but when he was expelled from his tribal chiefdom, he turned against his Mughal lords, promoted Pashtun nationalism, and encouraged revolt against the Mughal Empire. His works, mostly written in Pashto, are considered the foundation of modern Afghan literature. - A few occasional stains and ink smudges; lacks six leaves according to foliation and catchword. The first treatise in this volume, by an unidentified author, is in two parts with an index after the first but apparently not complete, lacking the end of the second half, as well as two leaves. First leaf extensively remargined but without loss to text; a few old waqf stamps and occasional marginalia.
