12 full-page hand-colored woodcut illus. (each with several figures, some with text) & one black & white full-page illus. 61 folding leaves. Four parts in one vol. 8vo, orig. wrappers, orig. block-printed title label on upper cover, new stitching. [Japan, probably Kyoto]: Preface dated 1690.

First edition, and very rare, of this work on funerary rites by Nakamura (1629-1702/03), written in classical Chinese with Japanese kunten reading marks. The 12 woodcut illustrations have been beautifully colored by hand at an early date. Nakamura, who probably had a merchant background, was a Neo-Confucian scholar in the early Tokugawa period... More

Each vol.: 159 x 184 mm. Five vols. Oblong 8vo, orig. wrappers, orig. paper ties. [Japan]: 1799 or later.

A collection of five manuscript volumes containing four Buddhist works, written in black and red ink with text in classical Chinese and occasional Japanese kunten reading marks, some Japanese text in kana, and Siddham characters. The collection contains:

1. Shogo dōjikyō 諸護童子経 [Sutra on the (Dhāraṇī for the) Protection of All Children]. A shortened title of the sutra known in Chinese as Hu zhu tongzi tuoluoni jing 護諸童子陀羅尼經 [Sutra on the Dhāraṇī for the Protection of All Children]. This... More

Ten vols. 8vo, orig. wrappers, old stitching. Yangzhou: Huainan shuju 淮南書局, 1883.

The sounds of language change over time. So do literary genres and prestige pronunciations. But they do not all change at the same time. In China, rhyme books both documented language change and regulated literary and normative language use. Taking the Essentials from the “Assembled Rhymes of Past and Present,” presented here in a handsome edition with prefaces in several styles of calligraphy, is among the most important rhyme books from the period of Mongol rule in China. The book is one of the richest resources for... More

56; 46; 71; 48 folding leaves. Four vols. of manuscript. Various 8vo formats, cont. semi-stiff wrappers (one lower wrapper rather defective). [China:]: 18th or 19th century.

Collection of materials to help prepare for the Qing civil service examinations. The Chinese civilian administration of the Qing empire was carried out by six ministries and various court agencies in Beijing, which headed the regional and local governments of the provinces, prefectures, and counties of China proper. Officials who served in most of the posts in this civilian administration were recruited through a system of examinations. While success at the highest level... More

41 folding leaves. Large 8vo (337 x 206 mm.), orig. semi-stiff wrappers, new stitching. [Korea]: Simdo 沁都, 1756.

First edition and rare; WorldCat lists only one printed copy, at Berkeley. This book of exhortations on good government, with striking royal calligraphy, was written by King Yŏngjo (or Yeongjo) of Chosŏn (1694-1776) in 1756. At this time, Yŏngjo was commemorating the death of his father, the previous king. According to Fang Chaoying (1908-85), Yŏngjo, then in his 65th year, “could not foresee that he was to live twenty more years, and so it appears that he was trying to justify... More

19 folding leaves. Large 8vo (293 x 189 mm.), orig. brown patterned semi-stiff wrappers, orig. stitching. Jeollanam-do: Chukkok chŏngsa , 1929.

An exceedingly rare edition of Yi I’s Ŭnp’yŏng chŏngsa hakkyu (or Eunpyeong jeongsa hakkyu) 隱屏精舍學規 [School Rules for the Hidden Study Hall], Ŭnp’yŏng chŏngsa yaksok 隱屏精舍約束 [Compact for the Hidden Study Hall], and related texts as an independent work on “school rules.” We find no other copy in WorldCat, the Korean Old and Rare Collection Information System, or in other catalogues available to us. The copy at the Academy of Korean Studies (Jangseogak, MF35/8172) appears to be from a.... More

52 folding leaves. Large 8vo (298 x 190 mm.), orig. patterned semi-stiff wrappers (wrappers a little soiled), old stitching (stitching partially defective). [Korea]: Preface dated 1801, Afterword dated 1816.

A very rare edition of this collection of documents relating to seven men and their actions during the Imjin War and the Manchu invasion of Korea in 1636. The invasions of Korea, first by the Japanese in the 1590s and then by the Manchus in the 1620s and 1630s, were important moments in the course of events that led to the rise of the Manchu Qing empire in continental East... More

Woodblock printed. 57 folding leaves. Two juan in one vol. Large 8vo (313 x 204 mm.), orig. semi-stiff yellow patterned wrappers (upper wrapper a little soiled). [Korea]: 1832 or after.

First edition and very rare; we find no copy in WorldCat. This is the collected poetry and prose by Kwŏn (1575-1652), who lived through the tumultuous years of the early 17th century when Chosŏn Korea was twice invaded by the Manchus. Kwŏn was, from an early age, taught by his father, Kwŏn Tae-gi 權大器, who had studied under one of the most important Neo-Confucian scholars of the Chosŏn period... More

31 folding leaves. Large 8vo (305 x 190 mm.), orig. patterned semi-stiff wrappers (wrappers slightly soiled), new stitching. Yeongju: 1774.

First edition, and very rare, of this gazetteer for the Confucian Three Peaks Academy (WorldCat 46318280). The word “gazetteer” is used in reference to a genre of East Asian historical and geographical texts generally known in Korea as ŭpchi 邑志, which translates roughly to “local treatises.” The now rare word “gazetteer” is used in analogy with a similar genre that existed in British India. It was not unusual for Korean gazetteers to be published by a local Confucian academy... More

Frontis. & eight finely colored lithographed plates (one folding). 49; 38 folding leaves. Two vols. 8vo, orig. wrappers (covers with the slightest worming), orig. block-printed title labels on upper covers, new stitching. Yokohama: Bararo, 1875.

First edition in Japanese of this classic book on sex, reproduction, and contraception. It was the first book based on Western medicine devoted to these subjects to be published in Japan. Enormously popular, it went through many later editions and imitators.

First published in New York in 1859, The Book of Nature; Containing Information for Young People Who Are Thinking of Getting Married offered succinct... More

Many illustrations in the text. Manuscript in accordion format. 36 pages (or panels), written on both sides. 8vo (204 x 98 mm.), orig. boards. [Korea?]: 18th or 19th century.

A unique manuscript collection of Daoist texts and talismans, richly illustrated with diagrams and images. The manuscript is probably Korean, as we find another manuscript with the title Sindo t’aeŭlgyŏng held at Dongshin University library in Naju, South Korea. We find no copy of a work with this title in WorldCat, be it Chinese or Korean.

This unique manuscript contains spells (Ko.: chu, Ch.: zhou 咒), registers (Ko.: nok, Ch.: lu... More

96 folding leaves. Two juan in one vol. Large 8vo (295 x 205 mm.), orig. patterned brown semi-stiff wrappers, new stitching. [Korea]: Preface and colophon dated 1917.

First edition and rare; we find no copy of our first edition in WorldCat. This work contains invaluable observations on Chinese customs and cultural objects, including clothing, magnificent tombs and dwellings, the abundance of local products, farming techniques, and city life.

"A classicist who reads ten thousand chapters worth of books should travel ten thousand li worth of road, and then what he sees and hears will expand his inner horizons. If... More