This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/12/2023
[SHIRASE, Nobu (1861-1946), his copy]. RYUKEI, Yano (1850-1931). Young Politicians of Thebes: Illustrious Tales of Statesmanship. Tokyo(?), 1881-84.
2 volumes, 8vo (178 x 114 mm). Numerous plates including folding map. Original cloth-backed pictorial boards (light rubbing to extremities, hinges discretely reinforced with Japanese tissue); morocco-backed folding box.
FIRST EDITIONS OF NOBU SHIRASE’S PERSONAL TEXTBOOKS WHILE ATTENDING MILITARY TRAINING. The work is considered a Meiji Dynasty allegorical (seiji shosetsu) political novel that includes stories attempting to popularize parliamentary and constitutional ideals or enlightenment and promote an understanding of the nature of equality and freedom of thought.
BOTH VOLUMES ARE INSCRIBED BY SHIRASE on inside front covers, dated 17th year of Meiji (1884). Shirase was 23 years old at the time of signing and a young officer in the Japanese Army. Our hero would soon be the first non-European explorer to land on and explore Antarctica, becoming only one of four groups to journey past 80 degrees south. Shirase and the Japanese Antarctic Expedition would surpass all speed records for sledge journeys and would explore the Antarctic coast further east than any ship up to that time. Their landing on the King Edward’s Land coast was an achievement that had previously defeated both Scott and Shackleton. Inscribed material by Shirase is practically nonexistent. Ross 5.1A (“Very rare”).