On Short Leave to Japan
London: Sampson Low, Marstyon and Co., 1894. Octavo. Item #028147
xi, 233 pp. The author's travel book show a firsthand observation in light of the culture rather than the typical Western bias. Perhaps this is because he was born in India and brought up an Evangelical Christian. He read his way into Tolstoyan simplicity, experienced a revelatory vision in the mountains of Tibet, toyed with telepathy in Kashmir and, proposed a new faith based on virile racial theory. Since he also began to believe life was governed by cosmic rays, his early books such as this volume show how an astute world traveler may find a different way of thought. His visit to Nikko he describes the excellent hotel, fine beer and wine, etc. He visited the mausoleum where the firs shogun was laid to rest. It was a capital offence to enter any property of the shogun without leave. Death by crucifixion was the penalty enacted. A very good copy bound in maroon pictorial gilt depicting a woman within a circular frame, spine lettering gilt, spine ends sunned, a bit of wear to corners.
Price: $225.00