Unkonshi ??? [Comprehensive Guide to Unusual Stones]

KIUCHI (or KINOUCHI), Sekitei ????

Publication Date: 1773

About this Item

Many full-page, double-page, & text woodcut illus. Three series of five vols. each. 15 vols. 8vo, orig. wrappers (some rubbing), orig. title-slips on upper covers (a few defective), new stitching. Osaka: 1773-1779-1801. First edition, and a complete set, of the first mineralogical monograph published in Japan. This is a comprehensive guide to the rare and unusual stones, ores, fossils, and archeological artifacts of the island nation, collected by the author. Kiuchi (1725-1808), Japanese herbalist, mineralogist, and archeologist, became fascinated as a boy by unusually shaped rocks. He moved to Osaka in 1751, where he studied herbalism and five years later moved to Edo where he became a disciple of Tamura Genyu (Ransui). Kiuchi also had contact with Hiraga Gennai and others interested in natural history; he became one of the central figures in the extended group studying various aspects of Japanese natural history (honzogaku). During his life, Kiuchi travelled throughout the country, collecting an enormous number of specimens and founded the mineral society Rosekisha (???); he can be considered the first serious mineral collector of Japan. These 15 volumes are richly illustrated with a series of detailed woodcuts. Several of the woodcuts depict Dutchmen studying rocks. Fine set, preserved in a chitsu. Occasional minor worming, touching some images. ? Louis Frédéric, Japan Encyclopedia (Harvard: 2002), p. 532 "Conducting research throughout Japan, [Kiuchi] devised the theory that flint arrowheads [many are illustrated in these volumes] were prehistoric weapons and developed a comparative theory in Unkonshi.".

Seller Inventory # 10699

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Unkonshi ??? [Comprehensive Guide to Unusual Stones]
• Publication Date: 1773
• Binding: Soft cover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Seller catalogs:
  • Geology
  • Japan
  • Mineralogy
  • Science
  • Japanese