German physician and traveller, Engelbert Kaempfer (1651-1716) spent ten years, 1683-1693, traveling through Persia and Southeast Asia, including two+ years in Japan, 1690-92. Residing in Nagasaki where he arrived in September, 1690 and departed in November, 1692. He made two three-month trips to Edo (Tokyo) and had audiences with Shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. His illustrated accounts of his travels and observations are the most detailed Western descriptions of 17th century Japan, and his trips within Japan were the basis of the most accurate Western maps of the interior for the next 150 years.

Kaempfer wrote this monumental work in his native language, German. It was first published in English in a translation from the author's manuscript in Sir Hans Sloane's collection (The History of Japan, London, 1727, 2 volumes). Kaempfer's work on Japan was first translated into English by J.G. Scheuchzer. Johann G. Scheuchzer, was a Swiss scholar and librarian to Sir Hans Sloane. Some copies of the 1727 publication contained an 1728 appendix entitled "Being Part of an Authentick Journal of a Voyage to Japan, made by the English in the year 1673?". This appendix deals with an abortive attempt by the British to revive trade with Japan. In 1857 a one volume English language book (107 pp) was published containing Scheuchzer's translations of Kaempfer's work. Obviously that was an abbreviated version of the work.

This 1906 reprint edition is the complete 1727 work and 1728 appendix. The "Publishers' Note" states:

Since its original publication in 1727 'The History of Japan' has not hitherto been reprinted in full. The maps and illustrations in the original edition were engraved as folio sheets and bound in at the end of each volume: in this edition they have, for greater convenience, been placed in their proper positions through the text; obvious printer's errors of spelling and punctuation have been corrected, but Kaempfer's spelling of Japanese names has been retained.

Example of text pages with margin notations and text illustrations.

Volume 1.

Publishers' Note, xiii
Biographical Note on the Scheuchzer Family by Sir Archibald Geikie, xv
The Dedication, xxi
The Names of the Subscribers to the Original Edition, xxiii
The Author's Preface, xxix
The Life of the Author, by the Translator, xxxv
An Introduction by the Translator, xlvii

 
The History of Japan

BOOK I -- A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE EMPIRE OF JAPAN

I. Journal of the author's voyage from Batavia to Siam, with an account of what happen'd during his Stay there, 1
II. The present State of the Court of Siam, with a description of Juthia, the Capital City and Place of the King's Residence, 30
III. The Author's departure from Juthia, down the River Meinam to the harbour, and from thence to Japan, 73
IV. Of the Empire of Japan in general, as to its situation and the largeness of its several Islands, 98
V. The Division and Sub-division of the Empire of Japan into its several Provinces; as also of its Revenue and Government, 114
VI. The Author's opinion of the true Origin and Descent of the Japanese, 131
VII. Of the Origin of the Japanese, according to their own fabulous Opinion, 152
VIII. Of the Climate of Japan, and its Produce as to Minerals and Metals, 160
IX. Of the Fertility of the Country as to Plants, 176
X. Of the plenty of the Country as to Beasts, Birds, Reptiles and Insects, 190
XI. Of Fish and Shells, 213

 
BOOK II -- OF THE POLITICAL STATE OF JAPAN

I. Names of the Gods, Demi-Gods and Emperors, who are mention'd in the Japanese Histories, as the first Monarchs and Governors of that Empire, 251
II. Of the Ecclesiastical Hereditary Emperors of Japan in general, of their Succession, Residence and Court; as also of the Chronology of the Japanese, 259
III. Of the Ecclesiastical Hereditary Emperors in particular, and first of those, who govern'd from the beginning of the Japanese Monarchy, till our Saviour's nativity, 273
IV. Of the Ecclesiastical Hereditary Emperors, who liv'd and govern'd with an unlimited Authority, from the Birth of our Saviour to Joritomo, the first Secular Monarch, 281
V. Of the Ecclesiastical Hereditary Emperors, who liv'd after Joritomo to the present time, 309
VI. Of the Crown-Generals and Secular Monarchs of Japan,from Joritomo to the Emperor Tsinajos now reigning, 334

 
Volume 2.

BOOK III -- OF THE STATE OF RELIGION IN JAPAN

I. Of the Religions of this Empire in general, and of the SINTOS Religion in particular, I
II. Of the SINTOS TEMPLES, belief and worship, 8
III. Of the SINTOS REEI, that is, their fortunate and Holidays, and the Celebration thereof, 19
IV. Of the SANGA, or Pilgrimage to ISJE, 33
V. Of the JAMMABOS,or Mountain-Priests, and other Religious Orders, 43
VI. Of the BUDSDO, or Foreign Pagan. Worship, and its Founder, 56
VII. Of the SIUTO, that is, the Doctrine and Way of Life of their Moralists and Philosophers, 67

BOOK IV -- OF NAGASAKI, THE PLACE OF RESIDENCE FOR FOREIGNERS: OF THEIR TRADE, ACCOMMODATION, ETC.

I. Of the Situation of the City of Nagasaki, and its Harbour; as also of its publick and private Buildings, 73
II. Of the Government of Nagasaki, 91
III. Of the Policy, or Regulation of the Streets of NAGASAKI; as also of the Government of the adjacent Country, 109
IV. Of the Temples and Clergy of this City, 130
V. Of the arrival and reception of the Portuguese and Castilians in Japan; of their Trade, and how they were banish'd the Empire, 152
VI. Of the Dutch Trade in Japan in general, 170
VII. Of the Dutch Trade in Japan in particular, and first of the several Corporations establish'd for this purpose, 198
VIII. Some more Particulars concerning the Dutch Trade in Japan, 209
IX. Of the way of Life, Trade, and Privileges of the Chinese in Japan, 248
X. Some Proclamations, Pasports, Orders, etc., mention'd in the foregoing Chapters, 259

BOOK V -- THE AUTHOR'S TWO JOURNIES TO THE EMPEROR'S COURT AT JEDO, THE CITY OF HIS RESIDENCE

I. Preparations for our Journey, with a Description of the manner of travelling in this country, 275
II. A general Description of the Way by Water and Land, from Nagasaki to Jedo, the Emperor's Residence, 290
III. A general Description of the several Edifices and Buildings, publick and private, we met along the Road, 299
IV. Of the Post-houses, Inns, Eating-houses, and Tea-booths, 316
V. Of the great Numbers of people, who daily travel on the Roads, 330
VI. Of our Journey to the Emperor's Court in general, and how we were accommodated on the road, 347
VII. Our Journey by Land from Nagasaki to Kokura, 362
VIII. Our voyage from Kokura to Osacca, 379

 
Volume 3.

Book V -- Continued -- THE AUTHOR'S TWO JOURNIES TO THE EMPEROR'S COURT AT JEDO, THE CITY OF HIS RESIDENCE

IX. Our journey from Osacca to Miaco, the residence of the Ecclesiastical Hereditary Emperors, with a description of both these cities, I
X. Our journey from Miaco to Fammamatz, being half way to Jedo, 25
XI. Our journey from Fammamatz to Jedo, the place of the Emperor's residence 46
XII. A description of the city of Jedo, its castle and palace, with an account of what happen'd during our stay there, our audience and departure, 73
XIII. Of our return from Jedo to Nagasaki, and what happen'd there, 101
XIV. Our second journey to court, 146
XV. Our second journey from Jedo to Nagasaki, 181

 
THE APPENDIX TO THE HISTORY OF JAPAN

I. The Natural History of the Japanese Tea; with an accurate description of that Plant, its culture, growth, preparation and uses, 215
II. Of the Paper Manufactures of the Japanese, 249
III. Of the cure of the Cholick by the Acupunctura, or Needle-pricking, as it is us'd by the Japanese, 263
IV. An Account of the Moxa, an excellent Caustic of the Chinese and Japanese; with a Scheme shewing, what parts of the human body are to be burnt with that plant in several distempers, 272
V. Some observations concerning Ambergreese, 292
VI. An Enquiry, whether it be conducive for the good of the Japanese Empire, to keep it shut up, as it now is, and not to suffer its Inhabitants to have any commerce with foreign nations, either at home or abroad, 301
The Second Appendix to the History of Japan, being part of an authentick Journal of a voyage to Japan, made by the English in the year 1673, 337
THE INDEX, 363

Illustrations
 
Volume 1
 Sir Hans Sloane, From the Portrait by Stephen Slaughter
     in the National Portrait Gallery.  Frontispiece
 

 1. Facsimile of the Engraved Title Page,   lii
 2. Facsimile of the Printed Title Page,   lxviii
 3. A Curious Star-fish with nine rays,   13
 4. A Prow or boat such as the Siamites use at
    their funerals,   23
 5. A Prow or boat such as the Siamites use at
    their funerals,   25
 6. The Boat on board which were carried the letters
     for the King,   27
 7. The plan of Juthia,  the capital of Siam,   43
 8. The plan of the Royal Palace of Siam,   45
 9. An inhabited Boat of the Siamites,    50
 10. An inhabited Boat of the Siamites,   51
 11. An inhabited Boat of the Siamites,  53
 12. A view of the river Meinam,   54
 13. The Pyramid Pukathon near Juthia,   54
 14. A view of the two Courts of Berklam's
     Temple, 56 (57)
 14  A large Idol a stone held very sacred by the
     Siamites.  Monstrous Idols ,  56 (57)
 15. A view of the Temple of the Siamites,   56 (55)
 16. The front of the said Temple,   57
 17. An open House with a bell hanging in it,   59
 18. A Pyramid such as the Siamites commonly place
     about their Temples,   60
 19. A large Pyramid in the second Court of
     Berklam's Temple,   61
 20. A sort of an Altar, with a cup or pot at
     the top,   63
 21. A Pyramid such as the Siamites commonly place
     about their Temples   63
 22. A Pyramid called Pra Pian,   65
 23. A Pyramid called Pra Tsiebi,   65
 24. A Map of the course of the river Meinam,   77
 25. Kirin, a chimerical Animal as represented by
     the Chinese,   191
 26. The same according to the Japanese,    192
 27. Suugu, a Chimera of the Japanese,    193
 28. Kaitsu, a Chimera of the Japanese,    195
 29. Dsja, the Dragon, according to the Japanese,   196
 30. Tatsmaki, a water Dragon, by the Japanese,    197
 31. Foo, a chimerical Bird of Paradise, according
     to the Chinese,  198
 32. Foo, a chimerical Bird of Paradise, as figured
     by the Japanese,   199
 33. Mukadde, a  Forty-leg,   203
 34. Jamakagats, a large snake,   205
 35. Kinmodsui, a beautiful duck,   207
 36. Foken, a night bird,   209
 37. Misago, a sea bird of the hawk kind,   211
 38. Sebi, a sort of beetel.  San-mio, a sor of
     Spanish-flies   212
 39. Iruku, a known fish   216
 40. Furube, a blower fish,   217
 41. Susuki, a bald head,   218
 42. Koi, a fish not unlike a carp,    219
 43. Ara, a Jacob's Ewertz,   220
 44. Ooadsi, a sort of Maasbancker    221
 45. Fukasame, the fish of whose skin they made the
     Shagrin - Cases,   222
 46. Susumoiwo, a  needle fish,   223
 47. Oounagi, a sort of Eel much larger than
     the common,  224
 48. Jaatzme Unagi, an eel with eight eyes,   225
 49. Doodsio, a  fish with a very large head in
     proportion to the body,   226
 50. Fammo, a Conger  Eel,   227
 51. Ika, a common sea-qualm according to the
     Chinese,   228
 52. Ika, as figured by the Japanese,   229
 53. Jako or Sepia, another sea-qualm,  230
 54. Kuragge,  another  sea-qualm,   231
 55. Namako, called Kafferkull,  by the Dutch
     at Batavia,   232
 56. Imori, a black water Lizard,    233
 57. Mooki, according to the Chinese,   234
 58. Mooki, an emblematical Tortoise, as
     figur'd by the Japanese,   235
 59. Isicame, the Land tortoise,    236
 60. Jogame, the Water tortoise,    237
 61. Gamina, soldier's crab,   238
 62. Kabutogami, a singular crab,   239
 63. Hind-Claw of the Simagani,   241
 64. Gadsame, a crab with the upper shell tapering
     into a point on both sides,   242
 65. Simagani, a striated pocket-crab,    243
 66. Awabi, an open Univalve,    244
 67. Tairagi, a sort of Pinna,    245
 68. Famaguri, bivalves, smooth and white within,  246
 69. Kisa, bivalves with deep furrows,   247
 69. Te or Matee, oblong thin bivalves gaping
     at both ends,   247
 70. Takaragai, or Cowries,   248
 71. Sasai, a large Turbinated univalve,   249
 72. Characters of the Elements and the
     Celestial Signs,   272
 73. The names of the Deities, Chinese and
     Japanese Emperors,   333


Volume 2

 74. A view of Matsussima, a Sintos Temple,  16
 75. A view of the Temple of Tensio Daisin
     at Isje,   40
 76. A Biosju or Memorial Table,   69
 77. A Biosju or Memorial Table,   71
*78. A Map of the City of Nagasaki, and of the
     adjacent country,    80
 79. The Kobanj, or Cobang,   201
 80. An Obani in gold,   208
 81. A large lump of silver, with several
     impressions,  229
 82. Both sides of a double Senni,   235
 83. An Ita or Schuit or silver; a Senni
     or Putjos,   241
 84. Three instruments usually carried before
     criminals in publick executions,   245
 85. An Itzebo in gold,   255
 86. The privilege granted to the Dutch in 1611,  260
 87. The Superscription of the renew'd privilege
     granted to Henry Brouwer,   261
 88. The Seal of the Emperor Ongoschiosama,   261
 89. The Seal of the Emperor Taitokouynsama,    261
 90. The General form of the Oath in Japan,    269
 91. The manner in which Imperial Orders, etc.,
     are put up in Publick places,    274
 92. The trunks and Adofski,   281
 93. The saddle,  283
 94. The Adofski by itself,   283
 95. A pleasure boat with the sails, flags,
     banners etc  300
 96. A pleasure boat with the sails, flags,
     banners etc  301
 97. A Japanese merchant ship,   303
 98. A view of the stern of a merchant ship,  305
 99. The figure of the black horned Giwon,
     an Idol of the Japanese,    315
100. Some Banners,    332
101. Umbrellas,   333
102. A bow, arrow and quiver,    334
103. Pikes of state,   335
104. The Chair of State,   336
105. The retinue of the Dutch Ambassadors in
      their journey to Court,    368
106. A ground-plot of the hot bath near Urissijno    369
107. A particular map of the. Author's Journey from
      Nagasaki, over the Island Kiusju, to Kokura,    376
108. A ground-plot of the town of Kokura,   378
109. A view of the Streights of Caminoseki, and the
     two villages Morizu and Caminoseki,     386
110. A view of Simodsi or Sijmotsui,    390
111. A view of the town and harbour of Muru, and its
      castle,  392
112. A particular Map of the voyage from Kokura to
      Simonoseki and thence to Osacca,   398



Volume III 

113. Arms of the Japanese,   10
114. Arms of the Japanese,   11
115. Arms of the Japanese,   13
116. The ground-plot of the town of Miaco the residence of
     the Ecclesiastical Hereditary Emperor of Japan,   24
117. A particular Map of the road from Osacca to Miaco, and
     from thence to Fammamatz,  32
118. A view of the town and castle of Quano,   39
119. A particular map of the road from Fammamatz to Jedo,
     the residence of the Secular Monarch of Japan,   64
120. A ground-plot of the city of Jedo, the Capital of the
     Japanese Empire,   80
121. The hall of hundred mats,   88
122. Musical instruments of the Japanese,   94
123. Musical instruments of the Japanese,   95
124. The hall of audience of the Dutch Ambassadors,  96
125. Musical instruments of the Japanese,   98
126. Musical instruments of the Japanese,   99
127. A view of the town and castle of Mijah,  111
128. A view of the Kiomeds temple at Miaco,  120
129. The idol of Quanwon sitting on a Tarate flower, 125
130. A view of the Daibods temple at Miaco,   128
131. A view of a Quanwon temple at Miaco wherein
     are 33,333 Idols,   136
132. A large Gum Gum or bell,   193
133. Kurumado, a temple near Miaco,  195
134. A ground-plot of the Simmios temple,  201
135. A singular semi-circular bridge leading to
     that temple, 203
136. Pillars or bound stones,    206
137. A shuit of silver as they are commonly nailed to
     Proclamation Posts,   207
138. The tea shrub,   217
139. Darma, an eminent saint of the Japanese,   221
140. The forepart of a portable machine, containing a
     whole setof instruments for keeping, making and
     drinking of tea,   244
141. The back part of the same machine,   245
142. The hanging valve of wood,   245
143. The larger brass vessel,   246
144. The smaller brass vessel,   246
145. The wind-oven,  246
146. The larger wooden case,  247
147. The smaller wooden case,  247
148. Three smaller wooden cases,  247
149. The dishes and instruments requisite for making
     and drinking the tea,   248
150. The Scale,  248
151. A branch of the true Paper tree: a branch of the
     spurious Paper-tree,   257
152. Oreni, a beautiful Alcea,   259
153. Sanekadsura, a shrub,   261
154. The Silver needles in the case,   264
155. The covering of the said case,   265
156. One of the gold needles taken out,  267
157. The hammer,  269
158. A brass pipe to guide the needles in pricking,  269
159. The Acupunctura, or needle pricking of the Japanese
     for curing the cholick,  271
160. Two schemes shewing what parts of the human body are
     to be burnt with the Moxa in several distempers,  287
161. Three several alphabets of the Japanese language,  336
162. A map of the Empire of Japan, composed from the maps
     of the natives and the observations made by Dr. Kaempfer,
     during his abode there, and in his two journies to the
     Imperial Court,  386

Items in Bold are full page+ fold out illustrations or maps.

Untrimmed Side and Bottom Pages
(Top trimmed and gilted)