[SHIRASE, Nobu (1861-1946)]. Nihon Shonen [in English: Japanese Boy]. Volume 6.1. Tokyo: Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, 1 January 1911.
8vo (222 x 152 mm). 3 full-page plates related to the Japanese Antarctic Expedition including one full-page plate showing Count Okuma and members of the Japanese Antarctic Support Committee, 1 plate featuring General Morsuki Nogi whose signed card is tipped into all copies of Nankyoku-ki, the official account of the JAE, and one full-page plate titled “Departure of the Antarctic Expedition” and containing four photographs related to Nobu Shirase and the day of departure for the Japanese Antarctic Expedition. Original color pictorial wrappers (spine chipped); custom cloth chemise with printed labels.
WITH THE VERY RARE COMPLETE SUPPLEMENT:
Nankyoku Tanken Hikouki Sugoroku [in English: Antarctic Expedition Board Game]. Tokyo: Jitsugyo no Nibon Sha, 1 January 1911.
Color pictorial lithograph (787 x 546 mm) illustrated by Akashi Sekishi of a Japanese Antarctic exploration board game with the rare board markers intact which are typically missing. A rare Japanese “Sugoroku” board game, with the goal of completing a journey to Antarctica. The game board presents the players with four starting points for their respective expeditions including Tokyo, Berlin, London and New York. Each player must then pass through several colorfully imaged squares depicting world landmarks such as pyramids, the Great Wall, totem poles, etc. before reaching the inner 8 squares which depict polar scenes. Antarctica is located at the center of the board. Board games were popular in Japan from the Edo-period onwards and in the first half of the 20th century. Themes varied and typically followed designs from politics, culture, and sports. The game was inspired by Japanese Antarctic explorer, Nobu Shirase. Ross 3.23A (“Very rare”).