San’iku zensho 産育全書 [Complete Book on Obstetrics].
Numerous woodcut illus. in the text. 12 vols. 8vo, orig. semi-stiff wrappers (wrappers a little soiled), orig. block-printed title labels on upper covers, new stitching. Kyoto, Edo, Osaka & Nagoya: various publishers, 1850.
First edition and a complete set of this finely illustrated book, the most comprehensive work on obstetrics published in Japan before the arrival of Admiral Perry and Western influences. “In 1850 Sansetsu or Gihaku Mizuhara (1782-1864), whose real given name was Yoshihiro, published his definitive work on obstetrics entitled San’iku zensho (sometimes referred to as Jyunsei-an san’iku zensho) in 11 volumes [actually 12 volumes], divided... More