43 folding leaves. 8vo (240 x 170 mm.), orig. patterned semi-stiff wrappers with orig. title-slip, old stitching. [Japan]: [1791] (date of Preface).

A rare manuscript of Japanese natural studies, or the “learning of roots and herbs” (honzōgaku 本草學) by Zō, doctor and botanist (1758-1834). It was one of the major intellectual trends of the Tokugawa period, with a large portion of the educated classes taking an interest in the topic. Initially inspired by the Chinese encyclopedic work Bencao gangmu 本草綱目 [Systematic Materia Medica], Japanese natural studies came with time to focus on the natural environment of Japan in... More