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The first Japanese edition of this influential Chinese text on astronomy. In this set of books the author, You Yi, included knowledge of Western astronomy that he learnt from Italian missionary and astronomer Sabatino de Ursis (1575 1620), in addition to Chinese astronomical knowledge. Although it is presumed that the original Chinese text of `Tenkei Wakumon` (published 1672 or 1675) was brought to Japan soon after publication, the set of books was quickly banned due to Japan's prohibition of Christian texts, and was only finally passed by the censors presumably just before the publication of this first Japanese edition. The three volumes in the set are titled `Tenkei Wakumon Zukan`, `Tenkei Wakumon Tenkan`, and `Tenkei Wakumon Chikan`. The woodblock printed illustrations in `Tenkei Wakumon Zukan` depict celestial maps, various astronomical tools, a world map, and so on. Extremely influential in Japan, the volumes were reprinted continuously throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. No copies of the original Chinese text are believed to remain. This particular set comes with `Tairyaku Tengaku Myomokusho`, a supplementary volume published in Japanese to provide a summary of the information provided in `Tenkei Wakumon`. A scarce first Japanese edition set of this influential text on Chinese and Western astronomy, with numerous woodblock-printed illustrations in a clear impression.Text in Chinese, with Japanese reading marks. Text of supplementary volume in Japanese. 3 v. + 1 supplementary v., complete. `Tenkei Wakumon Zukan`: 6, [2], 11, 24 ll. `Tenkei Wakumon Tenmaki`: 52 leaves. `Tenkei Wakumon Chimaki`: 49, 3 ll. `Tairyaku Tengaku Myomokusho`: 41 ll. 27.1 x 18 cm. Fukuro toji bindings with original wrappers, a little worn and with a few marks, stains to supplementary volume wrappers. Handwritten note to upper wrappers of all volumes. Original woodblock-printed title slips to v.1, 3, and the supplementary volume, title slip of v.2 lacking. Very minor occasional wormholing and foxing to volumes. Slight loss to lower opening corner of upper wrapper of supplementary volume due to wormholing. Overall very good. Seller Inventory # 1234
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