It appears that an effort was made to obscure (or perhaps call attention to) the private parts of several individuals in the image. I am not sure if this was done as a part of the printing process or just random undertaking by a previous owner of the book.

Plate/Page Size: 6 1/4 x 9 3/4 in (15.6 x 24.6 cm)
Image Area Size (approximate): 5 3/8 x 8 5/8 (13.6 x 21.9)

One of 11 full page tinted engravings on China paper from the 1863 book by Wilhelm Heine.

Heine, William (Wilhelm):
Le Japon. Voyage Autour Du Monde. Expédition du Commodore Perry, pendant les années 1853, 1854 et 1855. Faite d'après les ordres du gouvernement des États-Unis, ahead of the title: Voyage Autor du Monde, Bruxelles, 1863, large 8vo (6 3/4 x 10 in), frontispiece (tinted engraving on China paper). Two volumes bound into one with 304 pp + 5 full page tinted engravings on China paper and 315 pp + 5 full page tinted engravings on China paper. This is a translation from German into French by A. Rolland. Volume 1 covers the expedition from the departure to the first visit to Japan to deliver the President's letter to the Emperor. Volume 2 covers the return to Japan for the answer and then the return to the United States via the Hawaii. The set contains 11 full page tinted engravings (from Heine's paintings) on China paper with the following general subjects: Frontispiece, 1 Canton, 4 Liou-Kou (Okinawa), 3 Japan, 1 Hawaii and 1 Straits of Magellen).