JAPAN Described and Illustrated by the Japanese / Written by Eminent Japanese Authorities and Scholars; Complete ten-volume set

BRINKLEY, Captain F. [Frank Brinkley, Francis Brinkley]

Published by J. B. Millet Company, Boston, MA, 1897

pp. 382. Folio. Bound in brightly coloured floral brocaded silk, with varying patterns, and paper label to front boards. Bound in the Japanese style. Each of the large volumes contains numerous black-and-white photos, and three delicately-coloured coloured albumen photographs by Tamamura Kozaburo, each with explanatory tissue guard (thirty in total). There are also five collotype flower plates (by K. Ogawa). Condition varies as amongst the volumes. Five are in very good condition; five have a foredge stain affecting extreme outer margin of pages. The binding of volume III is very soiled. All bindings tight. Some albumen photos have lightened. The flower colour plates still quite vivid. This set, the Yedo Edition, is designated no. 482 of only 1,000 issued, and presents a stunning portrayal of Japanese life, customs, cities, and the countryside. The editor of this set, Francis Brinkley (1841-1912), was born in Ireland and educated at Trinity College, before moving on to a military career beginning with his accepance at the Royal Military College, Woolwich, where he trained as an artillery officer. After graduation, he was invited by his cousin, then the Governor of Hong Kong, to serve as his aide-de-camp and adjutant. In 1867 he was attached to the British-Japanese Legation and, still being an officer in the Royal Artillery, served as assistant military attache to the Japanese Embassy. In 1871, he resigned his commission and began studying the Japanese language and culture in earnest. Eventually, he married a Japanese woman, with whom he had three children. He also owned and edited the 'Japan Mail' which became the most influential English language newspaper in the far East. Seller Inventory # 9900042808

Bibliographic Details

Title: JAPAN Described and Illustrated by the ...
Publisher: J. B. Millet Company, Boston, MA
Publication Date: 1897
Binding: Hardcover
Edition: 1st edition.