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History of the Rakugo Revival
This is a scrapbook in which the famous novelist Shikitei Sanba (1776−1822) has stuck the handouts from eight otoshibanashi or rakugo (literally, fallen words) performances held between 1808 and 1817,...
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The Moon-Mad Monk, or Crazy Gazing at the Moon
Shown here is an illustrated anthology, in color, published in 1789 by Tsutaya Jūzaburō (1750−1797), a publisher of the Edo period (1600−1868). It contains 72 kyōka (humorous and satirical Japanese...
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Design Record of the Ryōgoku Bridge after Its Reconstruction and Repair
Ryōgoku Bridge over the Sumida River in Edo (present-day Tokyo) was a lively place in the Edo period (1600−1868), the scene displays fireworks and other entertainments in the neighborhood of the...
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Illustrated Account of the World, in Two Juan
The author of this work was Nan Huairen, Chinese name of Ferdinand Verbiest, 1623–88, courtesy name Dunbo, style name Xunqing. Verbiest was a Belgian Jesuit missionary who arrived in China in 1659 and...
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Aid to the Eyes and Ears of Western Scholars
This work was compiled by Jesuit missionary Nicolas Trigault (1577–1628), edited by Han Yun of Jinjiang, and published by Wang Zheng of Jingyang, Shaanxi (1571−1644). It contains characters,...
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Analysis of the Artificers’ Record by Yanzhai, in Two Juan
The author of this work, Lin Xiyi (1193−1271), courtesy name Suweng, style name Yanzhai, was a native of Fuqing, Fujian. Lin received his jin shi degree in 1235, became a vice director at the Bureau...
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Guidance for Families on How to Emigrate to Brazil
In 1922 the Japanese Home Ministry proposed an array of measures to encourage emigration to São Paulo, Brazil in order to solve the problems of overpopulation and unemployment in Japan. These included...
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Copy of “Rikken Seiyukai (Association of Friends of Constitutional...
Itō Hirobumi (1841−1909) had mulled over the formation of a new party in Japan, to be composed mainly of his supporters from among the government bureaucrats, with support from the urban...
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Draft Proposal of the “Rikken Seiyukai (Association of Friends of...
Itō Hirobumi (1841−1909) had mulled over the formation of a new party in Japan, to be composed mainly of his supporters from among the government bureaucrats, with support from the urban...
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Japanese House of Representatives Member Certificate of Mutsu Munemitsu
The first election to the House of Representatives, the lower house of the Japanese Diet, was held on July 1, 1890, with 300 seats to be filled. The franchise was limited to about one percent of the...
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Imperial Rescript Establishing a Constitutional Form of Government
A decision was taken at the Osaka Conference, held from January to February 1875, to restore Kido Takayoshi (1833−77) and Itagaki Taisuke (1837−1919) to their posts as sangi (councilors). The two men...
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A Combined Collection of Sao Songs from the Wu Area, Selected and Published...
This work, in four juan, is also called Wu sao he bian (A combined collection of Sao songs from the Wu area). It was compiled by Zhang Chushu and Zhang Xuchu of the late Ming. Zhang Chushu of Wulin...
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Complementary Compilation of Shangu’s Ci Poetry
This work is a collection of ci poetry by the Northern Song poet Huang Tingjian (1045−1105), courtesy name Luzhi, style names Shangu Daoren and Fuweng, a native of Fenning, Hongzhou (present-day...
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Quotations of Ancient Zen Masters
Gu zun su yu lu：cun er shi wu jia, san shi er (Quotations of ancient Zen masters) is a collection of important quotations by Zen masters of the late Tang dynasty, Five Dynasties, and early Southern...
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Immortal Sun’s Essential Prescriptions for Emergency Use Worth 1,000 Gold...
Sun Simiao (581−682), a native of Huayuan, Jingzhao (Shaanxi Province), was a renowned Daoist and physician during the Sui and Tang dynasties. He was called “King of Medicine.” Both Emperor Wendi of...
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The New Book on Prolonging Parents’ Life and Nourishing the Elderly, in Four...
This work has four juan in three volumes. It was first compiled by Chen Zhi of the Song, later supplemented by Zou Xuan of the Dade reign of the Yuan, and edited by Huang Yingzi. It was first issued...
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Map of the Grand Canal, Source of Water Conservancy, in Shandong Province
This map, folded as in accordion pleating, a style also known as sutra binding, has no frames on the pages. Executed in the traditional Chinese painting style, the map depicts the Grand Canal in...
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Third Edition of the Five Southern Dramas
This work contains five southern dramas: Huan sha ji (The tale of washing silk), Jin yin ji (The tale of the golden seal), Xiang nang ji (The tale of the purple sachet), Xiu ru ji (The story of the...
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Codex Vergara
Codex Vergara is an Aztec cadastral document, drawn up in 1539 by the Spanish conquerors of Mexico, on behalf of the king of Spain, in order to facilitate the collection of taxes from the native...
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Codex Mexicanus
Codex Mexicanus is an oblong-shaped manuscript that contains calendrical and astrological information, some of which is related to the practice of medicine. The manuscript shows signs of wear, probably...
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