Asian History

1794 History of INDIA Asia MAPS Egypt Hindustan Robertson Scottish Enlightenment

William Robertson was a notable 18th-century Scottish historian, and, according to Humphreys, 'made significant contributions to the writing of Scottish history and the history of Spain and Spanish America.' While Robertson was most known for his histories of America and Great Britain, he also published an historical account of India.


In this work, 'An Historical Disquisition Concerning the Knowledge of India', Robertson explored the commercial and cultural connections India had with the West through the end of the 15th-century. According to Stewart Brown, this work
"represents one of the more significant achievements of the late Scottish Enlightenment."

This fine work features 2 enormous, folding maps of India.

Item number: #5837
Price: $550
ROBERTSON, William
An historical disquisition concerning the knowledge which the ancients had of India : and the progress of trade with that country prior to the discovery of… Read More

1771 Japanese Handwritten Weapons Katana Michiyasu Woodblock Color Illustrated

An interesting 18th century woodblock-print of 'Illustrated Armor' This illustrated woodblock print contains various weapons and armor including:
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Bows
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Arrows
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Katanas
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Masks
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Rafts
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Cannons
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Guns
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Gloves
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Bells
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Banners
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And more!

This rare 1771 volume edition is written in a column handwritten format with furigana usage for easier reading. This edition contains excellent hand-colored illustrations throughout!

Item number: #8772
Price: $499
MICHIYASU, Inaba
Illustrated Armor Short Song (Bugu Tanka Zukou) 武具短歌図考 (ぶぐたんかずこう)
Tōto [Edo]: Tsūshōken zōhan, Meiwa 8 [1771].

Details:
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Collation: Complete with all pages;
o Numerous hand-colored illustrations throughout
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References: Iwanami, Kokusho So Mokuroku 54159; National Institute of Japanese Literature;
·… Read More

The Hague: Martinus Nijhoff, 1960. Book. Fine. Hardcover. Third Edition, Revised & Enlarged. Essentially fine, and apparently unread, with only insignificant traces of use. Contains 2 plates, 2 plans, and 2 maps in back pocket of vol. 5.. ( possibly missing 2 maps ? ) Packed weight about 4 kilos, so extra postage will be required..

1871 Japanese Woodblock 18 Histories Outline China Song Dynasty Xianzhi Meiji 7v
Today, "Eighteen History Outlines" is still the most read history book by Japanese people. (Chen Sunchen)
A 19th-century Sino-Japanese woodblock printing of "Eighteen Histories Outlines" bound in the fukurotoji style. "Eighteen Histories Outlines" (Shiba shilue 十八史略) is a concise general history text created in the Yuan dynasty written by the Song Dynasty scholar Zeng Xianzhi, which achieved widespread popularity in the Ming dynasty. During the Meiji Restoration period, a demand for abbreviated histories arose in Japan leading to large-scale publications of 'Eighteen Histories Outlines' and creating "a profound impact on Japanese society, culture, and historiography, with a legacy extending into the contemporary period." This book was used as required material in primary schools and as a textbook for government officials in learning Chinese history.
This 1871 edition of the Eighteen History Outlines
is written in… Read More

Collector's Edition. EASTON PRESS books are among the highest quality leather bound books ever produced. Bound in full genuine leather with hubbed spine, accented with 22kt gold lettering and designs, printed on archival paper (acid neutral) with gilded edges, smyth sewing and concealed muslin joints. Lustrous silk moire endpapers. A silk page marker is sewn into the binding. This book, in pristine condition, belongs to the Military History series. Collector's Notes and Easton Press nameplate laid in.

Hardcover. Very Good. First Edition. Folio. 128 full page plates, some in color, some double page and/or folding. 40 illustrations in the text, most being mounted photo-illustrations. With a lengthy English resume' of the Japanese text and a resume' of the appendix in German. Bottom of spine has a triangular chip but can be repaired as the chipped portion has been preserved. Edge wear. Light wear to tips. Wear to crown and bottom of spine. 1/2" tear to cloth on cover. Internally clean An elaborately produced work. Most of the illustrations are of pottery.

1843 1st ed Japanese Tales of Leadership Samurai Weapons Illustrated 8v Kurihara

A rare, 19th century Japanese woodblock print of "Shinshin Shuzo Gyokuseki Zasshi" written by Nobumitsu is a book of biographies and portraits published in 1843. Nobumitsu Kurihara studied the Chinese and Japanese classics, and the ancient practices of the Ise family focusing on subjects of the history of ancient times, swords and military uniforms. This gave him thorough knowledge of ceremonial and ritual customs of the Imperial court and Samurai families. His work "Shinshin Shuzo Gyokuseki Zasshi" contains illustrations of noblemen and warriors who directly participated in the violent political change in the Nanboku-cho period representing their favorite domestic articles, strips, square pieces of fancy paper, places related with them, battles they fought, and more.

This rare, record is written in a column woodblock print format with furigana for easier reading with numerous illustrations of famous leaders, samurai,… Read More

1862 Japanese Woodblock Print Shaka Hasso Snake Demon Samurai Color Illustrated

A rare, 19th-century Japanese woodblock print of 'Shaka Hassou Yamato Bunko." "Shaka Hassou Yamato Bunko" is a biography of Buddha written by Mantei Oga and illustrated by Ichiyousai Toyokuni. Buddhism originated in Northern India, or present-day Nepal where the historical Buddha (Prince Siddhartha, Gautama Buddha), was born and lived. When Buddhism arrived in Japan, Siddhartha became known in Japan as Shaka or Shakamuni. Stories of Shaka's life were commonly told through selecting eight events to represent his life. This 'Shaka Hassou,' was aimed at the general populace, using the "eight phases" as a device to teach the important points of Shaka's life as well as a means of entertainment.
This rare 1862 edition is written in the typical handwritten column format with illustrations of snakes, battles, samurai, courtesans, demons, and more!
Item number: #16818
Price: $499
Mantei Oga
(Story of the Eight Phases of Shaka)… Read More

London: John Murray, 1847. Second edition. Illustrated, a map, an extra engraved title page, three tinted lithograph plates, several small text engravings, octavo, pp xxiv, (ii), 420, (2), + publisher's catalogue of 16 pages, the frontispiece are rather foxed, the other plates slightly foxed, a little age-toned internally, original embossed and gilt cloth refurbished, slightly marked and worn, neatly rebacked with most of the original spine laid down, the original endpapers retained, two signatures on the front endpaper, including that of John Whittington, possibly the original owner. [This second edition was a little enlarged].. Second edition. Cloth. Good.

1561 Boemus Leges et Ritus Customs Asia Africa India Persia China America RARE

Johann Boemus was an early 16th-century German ethnographer who is chiefly remembered for his work 'Leges et Ritus', originally published in 1520. This work is an account of customs and laws of Africa, Asia, and Europe. This rare book includes
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a detailed history of Tartary including merchant and trade activity
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Persian soldiers – training and clothing
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"the strange ways" of India
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Lands that produce only white men
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Connections of law and culture
Editions subsequent to the 1542 edition include some of the first written observations of Americans, according to Sabin. This book was also important in that it was considered to have a direct influence on Sebastian Muenster's 'Cosmography'. (Lach, 336)
Item number: #20113
Price: $950
BOEMUS, Johann
Mores, leges, et ritus omnium gentium,
Lugduni, : Apud Ioan. Tornaesium, & Guliel. Gazeium., 1561.

Details:

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Collation:… Read More

New Haven: Yale-in-China Association, 1961. Hard cover in acetate dust jacket. Published New Haven: Yale-in-China Association, 1961, second printing. 8vo., viii+160pp., illustrated with b/w photos. Some dust foxing along top edge. Near fine, crisp, bright copy in near fine acetate dust jacket. . Hard. Near Fine/Near Fine. 8vo.

Singapore: Government Printing Office, 1952. First edition. Hardcover. Published Singapore: Government Printing Office, 1952, first printing. 4to., 7 3/4" x 10 1/2", 114pp., illustrated throughout with b/w photos, map, index. Dark green pebbled leatherette with gilt title and design, patterned endpapers. Printed on bright coated stock. Photographic and text account of Singapore, Johore, Pahang, Trengganu, Kelantan, Perlis. Fine. . 1st. Hard. Fine/No Jacket. 4to.

Boston: The Atlantic Monthly Company, 1959. 1st edition. Soft cover. Very Good/No Jacket (as issued). VG. 4to, 176pp, printed wrappers. A Special Issue devoted to China under Mao Zedong, includes poems by Mao and a profile of him, plus other content on Chinese culture and politics. Also a poem by Ted Hughes, a story by Isak Dinesen, and work from other important contributors. Unmarked copy, a bit of general wear and toning, minor closed tearing to covers.

PHILADELPHIA, PA: GLOBE BIBLE PUBLISHING CO., 1894 NICE LOOKING TAN, RED AND GOLD COVER. SPINE OUTSIDE MISSING, FRONT AND BACK COVERS LOOSE. CLEAN AND TIGHT INSIDE WITH HEAVY PAGES. FRONTISPIECE MAP OF CHINA, CONTAINS GEOGRAPHICAL POSITIONS, ENORMOUS RESOURCES, WEALTH, EMPERORS AND COURTS, GOVERNMENTS AND PEOPLE, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, HOW THE PEOPLE OF THE GREAT NATIONS LIVE AND DIE AND MAINTAIN IN ORIENTAL SPLENDOR THE CHINA AND JAPAN OF TODAY. A SKETCH OF COREA AND THE COREANS, AND THE CAUSES LEADING TO THE CONFLICT OF 1894. 20 CHAPTERS, LARGE NUMBER ILLUSTRATIONS. WONDERFUL BOOK HELPING UNDERSTAND THE GREAT NATIONS AND THE CONFLICT. China (Chinese), officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's second-most populous country with a population exceeding 1.4 billion. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and borders fourteen countries by land, tied with Russia as having the most of any country in the world. ANTIQUE BOOKS DEN, WHERE HISTORY LIVES.

Printed by W. Bulmer & Co. for G. Nicol. London. 1797. FIRST EDITION. Three volumes. Complete. - Two quarto text volumes (12 x 9.4 inches), and a folio atlas of plates (16.6 x 12.3 inches). ---- Both text volumes in contemporary full brown calf boards with decorative gilt borders. Re-spined in recent brown calf with raised bands, the compartments ruled in blind, two red morocco labels, lined and lettered in gilt. Gilt inner dentelles. Marbled endpapers. All edges marbled. The atlas volume bound in recent half brown calf. Spine with raised bands, each decorated in gilt. Compartments ruled in gilt. Red title label, gilt. Marbled paper on boards. Text volumes with engraved portrait frontispiece to each, 1 plate and 26 vignettes after William Alexander et al. in all, atlas with 44 engraved views, plans, plates and maps and charts, including large folding world map, 3 natural history subjects and 25 views. Some foxing and sporadic spotting to both text and atlas, a couple of the maps have professional… Read More