Maggs Bros.

The rare, illustrated edition of this work by theologist and Shinto priest Shibata Hanamori (1809-1890). The first volume contains beautiful colour woodblock-printed illustrations by Hasegawa Sadanobu (1809-1879), who was an Osaka-based artist of the Shijo school.

Shibata Hanamori lived an interesting life. He was born during the tail end of the Edo period to a prosperous samurai family. Showing his for aptitude academia from a young age, he was sent to Nagasaki to study rangaku, i.e. ‘Dutch learning’. Towards his 20s, he found himself drawn to theology and began to study Buddhism, Shintoism and the teachings of Confucius. This led him to pursue a religious life, eventually becoming a kannushi (Shinto priest) at a Toyokuni Shrine. What he is best known for is Fuji-ko, which is a branch of Shintoism best known for its ritual pilgrimage to the top of Mt. Fuji.

The present book is a collection of short essays by Shibata. In each chapter he asks himself questions which he then tries to answer. One chapter dwells upon on harmonious interactions with foreigners. The opening illustrations show stone carvings found in Shinto shrines, as well a page on ancient customs and figures of the past. In essence, this is Shibata’s attempt to navigate the complexities of modern Japan by turning to the past.

The first edition was published in Meiji 3 (1870). Several copies of this edition are listed in OCLC, but there are no copies of the present (illustrated) edition listed.