FUJIKAWA, Sankei.

Hogei Zushiki [Whaling Illustrated].

One triple-page, four double-page, 10 full-page woodcut illus. & one single-page woodcut map of the world. 5., 27, .5; 19; 31, .5 folding leaves. Three vols. 8vo, orig. black patterned semi-stiff wrappers, orig. block-printed title label on each upper cover, new stitching. Kobe: Inoue Shinkodo, title-page dated 1888.

First edition. Fujikawa (1816-91), was a pioneer of the Japanese fishing industry and established the first private educational fishing institution in Japan. He also introduced a number of Western whaling techniques to Japanese fishermen.

The first volume contains a number of commendatory prefaces from notable personages including the famous artist Settou Ozaki, who has provided a fine double-page woodcut of whales in the ocean with an accompanying poem by Fujikawa. The author describes the species of whales (with Western names), their anatomies, the best whaling grounds near Japan, migration patterns of whales, kinds of whale oils, how the oils were used in the West, the economics of whaling, the varieties of whaling ships, whale meat, and the uses of whalebone for the umbrella and corset industries in the West. There are references to the pay scales of whalers in the United States versus other countries.

The work is illustrated with numerous woodcuts depicting the different species of whales and their anatomies, along with varieties of sharks, seals, and otters. Several double-page plates depict Western and Japanese harpoons, launching guns, and other hunting and butchering implements. Finally, there is a world map depicting the best whaling grounds.

Fine set, preserved in a chitsu.

Price: $3,500.00

Item ID: 8340