Secret Memoirs of the Shoguns, Isaac Titsingh and Japan 1779-1922

Isaac Titsingh was intermittently head of the Japan factory (trading station) of the Dutch East India Company 1780-94. He was a career merchant, but unusual in having a classical education and training as a physician. His impact in Japan was enormous, but he left disappointed in the ability of the country to embrace change. After many years in Java, India and China, he came to London, and then settled in Paris where he devoted himself to compiling translations of prime Japanese texts. It is one of the most exciting anthologies of the period and reveals the almost unknown world of eighteenth-century Japan, discussing politics, history, poetry and rituals. The Illustrations of Japan appeared posthumously in 1821-1822 in English, French and Dutch. This fully annotated edition makes the original English version available for the first time in nearly two centuries

isaac Titsingh Was Head Of The Japanese Station Of The Dutch East India Company 1780-94. He Was A Career Merchant, But Unusual In Having A Classical Education And Training As A Physician. He Could Also Read Chinese. In Japan, His Impact Was Enormous. He Became A Friend And Confidant Of The Shogun's Father-in-law, The Famously Wise But Wily Shimazu Shigehide, Almost Causing War Between Father And Son-in-law. He Also Attempted The Project Of Equipping Japan With An Ocean-going Fleet. However, He Left Japan Disappointed In The Ability Of The Country To Embrace Change. After Many Years In India He Settled In Paris, Where He Wrote Down His Experiences. It Is One Of The Most Exciting Journals Of The Period And Reveals The Almost Unknown World Of Eighteenth-century Japan, Discussing Politics, History, Poetry And Rituals. The Illustrations Of Japan Appeared Posthumously In 1822 In English And French. This Fully Annotated Edition Makes The Original English Version Available For The First Time In 180 Years.

Book cover......Page 1 Half-Title......Page 2 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Dedication......Page 6 Contents......Page 10 List of Figures......Page 12 Acknowledgement......Page 16 Introduction......Page 18 Part I Secret memories and ancedotes of the reigning dynasty of the shoguns, or sovereigns of Japan......Page 92 1 Before the Tokugawa......Page 94 2 Ieyasu, the Gongen, to Ietsugu......Page 99 3 Yoshimune, the eighth shogun......Page 116 4 Ieshigue to Ienari......Page 146 Part II Essays on Japanese civilisation......Page 176 5 On the legal suicide of the Japanese......Page 178 6 On Japanese poetry......Page 180 7 The character of the Japanese people, and a history of East-West relations......Page 188 Part III Other observations......Page 200 8 'Secret Diary' of Isaac Titsingh......Page 202 9 Titsingh's 'Philosophical Discourse'......Page 224 Glossary......Page 234 Notes......Page 236 Bibliography......Page 274 Index......Page 280 "Isaac Titsingh was intermittently head of the Japan factory (trading station) of the Dutch East India Company from 1779 to 1784. He was a career merchant, but unusual in having a classical education and training as a physician. His impact on Japan was enormous; but he left disappointed in the ability of the country to embrace change. After many years in Java, India and China, he came to London, then settled in Paris, where he devoted himself to compiling translations of prime Japanese texts. His is one of the most exciting anthologies of the period and reveals the almost unknown world of eighteenth-century Japan, discussing politics, history, poetry, and rituals. Titsingh's Illustrations of Japan appeared posthumously in 1820-1822 in English, French and Dutch. This fully annotated edition makes selections from the original English version available for the first time in nearly two centuries."--Jacket.