NINOMIYA, Ken 二宮獻 (or Genka 彦可 or Hikoyoshi).

Seikotsuhan 正骨範 [Models of Orthopedic Manipulation]

Many fine full-page woodcut illus. 46; 59 folding leaves. 8vo, orig. yellow wrappers (wrappers a little soiled), orig. woodblock title-slips on upper covers (labels a little soiled), new stitching. Kyoto, Osaka, & Edo: 1808.

First edition of one of the three most important Japanese works on orthopedic medicine. The book is based on Chinese medical science, most notably the Sheng ji zong lu 聖濟總錄, written in the 11th century, and the Yi zong jin jian 醫宗金鑑 by Qian Wu (active 1736-43), who also wrote the famous Yuzuan Yizong Jinjian 御纂醫宗金鑑 [Imperially Commissioned Golden Mirror of Medical Learning], published in 1742. Our work presents a system of surgical treatment to cure injuries to bones, principally fractures and dislocations, with instructions on how to stop bleeding and to bind or immobilize the injured part by bandaging. There is a substantial section on materia medica and the compounding of prescriptions considered essential to the treatment of bones in Japan.

The numerous and fine woodcuts depict braces and corsets, plasters, manipulations, bandaging techniques, casts, etc. Many of these techniques are clearly taken from Western medicine.

Ninomiya (1754-1827), was a prominent medical doctor who laid down the foundations of orthopedic surgery in Japan. He studied in Nagasaki, where he learned Western and Japanese techniques from Kogyu Yoshio (1724-1800), interpreter of Dutch and a famous physician and surgeon who had a “Western-style” room at his home in the city. After further study under a number of doctors throughout Japan, including Gento Yoshiwara, Ninomiya established himself in Edo, where he had an extremely successful practice. After contracting syphilis as a baby from his wet nurse, Ninomiya lost his nose and wore a artificial nose for the rest of his life.

Nice set. Both volumes have some minor marginal dampstaining.

❧ Mestler, A Galaxy of Old Japanese Medical Books, III, p. 152.