Descriptio regni Iaponiae cum quibusdam affinis materiae, ex variis auctoribus collecta et in ordinem redacta [...].

2 parts in one 16mo: engr. title-[54]-267, 320 pp.; 1 fold. table. (some pp. misbound, p. 227 in part 2 sl. def. touching some words).

18th-c. brownish calf, two triple gilt fillets with cornerpieces, gilt-orn. spine with raised bands, gilt inner dentelles, a.e.g. (joints sl. rubbed).

First edition, pocket size, of this description of Japan based on various works incl. those of Maffei, Reyer Gisbertz, Francis Caron and letters from Jesuits. Varenius (1622-1680), German doctor and geographer reviews the situation of the country (temperature, products, mineral and plant wealth, trade, war, finances, morals, condition of women, etc.) and also describes the Daïri (spiritual ruler of Japan) and his court. In appendix, a study of Siam (Thailand) and Persia (Iran). The religious aspect as well as the introduction of Christianity in these countries are studied in the second part.
Ref. Willems 1095. - Cordier, Japonica, 368-369. - Berghman 1927 ("Dernière des petites Républiques données par les Elzevier, et la seule qui ait été imprimée dans l'officine d'Amsterdam"). - Rahir 1109.
Prov. G[uillaume] H[ofman] (bookpl.).