Asher Rare Books

Programme printed on Commodore Perry's ship in Japan for its black-face minstrel show

[PERRY, Matthew Calbraith]. Ethiopian concert. United States steam frigate Powhatan, Hakodadi, Island of Yesso, Empire of Japan, May 29th [1854]. An Ethiopian entertainment will be given by the Japanese Olio Minstrels, on board this ship, this evening, weather favorable, to which the Officers invite your attendance.
[On board the Powhatan], Japan Expedition Press, [1854]. 19 x 26 cm as opened flat. A programme and invitation, printed letterpress on washi mulberry tissue paper with a lace-like decorative flower pattern in white. Full description

€ 27,500

Japan & Far East Music, Theatre & Dance Naval History

First attempt of a Japanese – German/English dictionary

PFIZMAIER, August. Wörterbuch der japanischen sprache.
Vienna, P.P. Mechitharisten for Carl Gerold & Sohn, 1851. Large 4to (342 x 266 mm). Original yellow printed wrappers. xii, 80 ll [of which 80 pp. containing 1034 Japanese characters printed in two columns]. Full description

€ 400

Dictionaries & Encyclopedias Iran / Persia Japan & Far East Literature

Important Spanish account of missionary activities in Japan

PIÑEYRO, Luys. Relacion del sucesso que tuuo nuestra santa fe en los reynos del Iapon, desde el año de seyscientos y doze hasta el de seyscientos u quinze, Imperando Cubosama.
Madrid, widow of Alonso M. de Balboa, 1617. Folio. With woodcut coat of arms on title-page, repeated at the end of books 1, 2 and 3. Contemporary parchment. [16], 516, [8] pp. Full description

€ 31,500

Church History & Missions History / 17th Century Japan & Far East Jesuits Spain

The wondrous travels of Pinto according to radical enlightenment philosophy

PINTO, Fernão Mendes and Jan Hendrik GLAZEMAKER (translator). De wonderlyke reizen van Fernando Mendez Pinto; die hij in de tijt van eenëntwintig jaren in Europa, Asia en Afrika... gedaan heeft.
Amsterdam, printed for Jan Rieuwertsz I and Jan Hendricksz Boom, 1653. 4to. With an engraved title-page and 7 engraved plates. Modern vellum. [8], 280 pp. Full description

€ 4,500

China Imaginary Voyages & Utopias India & Sri Lanka Japan & Far East Mutiny, Piracy & Shipwrecks Southeast Asia Travel & Voyages Africa Travel & Voyages Asia Travel & Voyages East Asia Travel & Voyages Southeast Asia Travel & Voyages Southern Asia

Practical medical handbook that greatly influenced Japanese pharmacology

PLENCK, Joseph Jakob and A. SCHRAGE (transl.) Heelkundige artzeny-winkel of chirurgyns-apotheek. Vervattende alle beproefde en hedendaagsch gebruikelyke bereide en samengestelde heelmiddelen, ter geneezing van uitwendige ziekten.
Antwerp, C.H. de Vos, 1798. 8vo. Contemporary calf, heavily restored. [1], [1 blank], [5], [1 blank], 212 pp. Full description

€ 500

Japan & Far East Medicine & Pharmacy (18th Century) Pharmacy / Pharmacopaea

Account of the Japanese Empire, especially in the 1850s

POMPE VAN MEERDERVOORT, Johan Lidius Cathrinus. Vijf jaren in Japan. (1857-1863.) Bijdragen tot de kennis van het Japansche Keizerrijk en zijne bevolking. ... Eerste[-tweede] deel.
Leiden, Van den Heuvel and Van Santen, 1867-1868. 2 volumes bound as 1. 8vo. Each volume with a different double-tinted lithographed view as frontispiece, further with a large folding tinted lithographed map of Japan and the Chinese coast, 2 lithographed views and 10 chromolithographed costume plates finished by hand. 19th-century light brown half sheepskin, rebacked, with the original backstrip laid-down. [2 blank], XII, 335, [1]; [2 blank], VI, 357, [1 blank] pp. Full description

€ 5,000

Japan & Far East Law & Politics Netherlands North America UK - United Kingdom

Promoting Catholicism through missionary work as the Jesuits lost power:
a manuscript from the Sir Thomas Phillipps collection

[PROPAGANDA FIDE]. Africa [-] Greci - Italo Greci [-] Armeni di Venezia [-] varie.
[Rome and perhaps elsewhere, ca. 1758-1764 (transcribing original documents going back to at least 1664)]. 4to. Collection of manuscript transcriptions of about 30 letters and other documents. Contemporary Italian sheepskin parchment over flexible boards. [416] pp., including about 15 blank leaves. Full description

€ 39,500

Balkan & Greece Church History & Missions Italy Japan & Far East Jesuits Manuscripts & Documents North Africa

Of the utmost importance for leprosy in the Dutch East Indies, by the first Deshima doctor
to describe the medicine and culture of Japan to the West

RHYNE, Willem ten. Verhandelinge van de Asiatise melaatsheid, na een naaukeuriger ondersoek ten dienste van het gemeen.
Amsterdam, Abraham van Someren, 1687. 2 works in 1 volume. 8vo. With an ornament on the title page.
With: (2) BEINTEMA VAN PEIMA, Joannes Ignatius Worp. Tabacologia, ofte korte verhandelenge over de tabak, desselvs deugd, gebruyk, ende kennisse: waar door aangeweesen wordt een wegh om lang, vroolijk, ende gesond te leeven.
The Hague, Levijn van Dijck, 1690. Contemporary vellum, sewn on 3 supports laced through the joints, the manuscript author on the spine. [18], 181, [1 blank]; [12 (of 16)], 175, [1 blank] pp. Full description

€ 7,500

Herbals & Medical Botany History / 17th Century Indonesia / Dutch East Indies Japan & Far East Medicine & Pharmacy (17th Century) Southeast Asia Tobacco VOC

Second Latin edition of the annual report and letters on the events in Japan during the years 1609 and 1610

RODRIGUEZ GIRÃO, João [RODRIGUEZ GIRAM, Joao]. Litterae iaponicae annorum M.DC.IX et X. ad R. admodum piae mem. P. Claudium Aquavivam generalem praepositum Societatis Iesu A.R.P. Provinciali eiusdem in Iapone Societ. missae.
Antwerp, P. & J. Bellerus, 1615. 8vo. Woodcut printer's device on title, woodcut initials. Contemp. limp vellum, title in ink on spine with traces of colouring, remnants of ties. [24], 111, [1 blank] pp. Full description

€ 8,500

Church History & Missions Japan & Far East Jesuits

"Pioneer Portuguese Jesuit missionary to Japan"

RODRIGUEZ GIRÃO, João [RODRIGUEZ GIRAM, Joao]. Litterae Iaponicae annorum M.DC.IX et X. ad R. admodum piae mem. p. Claudium Aquavivam generalem praepositum Societatis Iesu A.R.P. Provinciali eiusdem in Iapone Societ. Missae.
Antwerp, Petrus and Johannes Bellerus, 1615. 8vo. With woodcut printer's device on title-page. Modern limp parchment, gilt edges. [24], 111, [1 blank] pp. Full description

€ 4,750