Shu^gyoku SANPO^ DO^JIMON 5 vols.
1784. Item #86409
[MATHEMATICS] Murai Chuzen. Shugyoku SANPO DOJIMON [CHILDREN'S QUESTIONS ABOUT MATHEMATICS] 5 vols. Kyoto, Tennojiya Ichirobei, Temmei 4 [1784]. 22.9 x 15.9 cm. Uniformly bound, Japanese-style, fukuro-toji with original printed covers and printed paper title labels. The preface has a zodiacal date of 1781. Important and unusual classic of mathematical pedagogy in Japan, heavily illustrated in b+w woodcut. There appear to be but 2 copies outside Japan and both are in the Library of Congress. The KSSM (volume three, p.854) Union catalog from Japan identifies this as being a 6 volume work, but two things militate against that: The LOC copies are both 5 volumes bound in 6 (ours is 5 volumes bound in 5) and our copy has the original Tennojiya bookseller catalogue bound into the back of the book, which clearly states this book is published in 5 volumes. In addition, the text is continuous and ends at the end of volume 5. The covers are contemporary to the 1780's, the impressions good or better, the condition very good throughout. An important book. In a fitted chitsu clasped case.
Price: $12,500.00