My exams for this semester are finally over, and I thought I would share some of my recent acquisitions. Then the doorbell rang, and a package arrived, for which I have been waiting quite a while. These two beauties came all the way from Japan, Tokyo to be more precise. Thought I would share the experience of holding them for the first time. Taking the shipping and import taxes in consideration, I paid a little more than I originally planned on doing, but in my opinion well worth it. I bought them from a Japanese
ebay seller that specialized in these woodblock printed books. This type of printing, often consisting of large, one sided sheets, folded to make a double page, which leaves the inside of the page blanc (hope this make sense), has been around since at least the third century AD. But it gained immense popularity during the Edo period in Japan, where it was the go-to method for artists, writers and the like.
It is titled "Wakan Kisei Kosen Zuroku", literally meaning "rare old Japanese and Chinese illustrated coin catalogue". The original, printed under a slightly different name, was published in Ansei 6 (=1859), by numismatic author Sekikosai Nakagawa. This slightly rarer first print was originally published in three volumes, the last only having background information on these coins. The edition I am holding right now almost exclusively consists of the lovely woodblock printed illustrations, so basically volume one and two of the original print. While the date 1859 is still presented within the book itself, it is supposed to be a slightly later reprint, most likely an early Meiji edition. The Meiji era, one of the longer ones in Japanese history, lasted from 1868 to 1912. In the 1870's, a new coinage act was passed in Japan, under which the old cash coin system was abolished and the new, Yen based system introduced. At this time, these old coins were still readily available, yet economically speaking worthless, which sparked a many citizens the take up the hobby of coin collecting. If we take a look at the amount of numismatic books published in Japan, we can see quite a peak at the beginning of the Meiji era, due to this renewed interest. Same thing happened here in Holland, with the introduction of the Euro coinage by the way. Anyway, it is likely that this book was reprinted sometime close to this event, but I am afraid that we shall never know for sure. The seller, who has dealt with quite a few books from this era told me that it was most likely "Early Meiji, let's say 1880's, but definitely before 1900". So that is what I am going with.
Unfortunately, while I do have some Chinese-reading skills, mostly some basic and numismatic-related characters, I am afraid my Kana/Hiranaga is absolutely terrible. While the text next to the pictures is mostly Kanji (the same Chinese Characters, but with different pronunciations), the introduction (above) is mostly comprised of other Japanese scripts, which are unreadable for me. If there is anyone willing to help me on deciphering those, I would be truly grateful!
From what I could gather (haven't looked it true that good to be honest), the book is basically the collection of the author, listed somewhat chronologically, starting with the Chinese coins, and then, uhmm. well.. the rest. Amulets, charms (esen), Japanese, Korean, Annamese, and even western coins, in no particular order, on a total of 106 pages split evenly across the two volumes. The weight is listed for each coin, if known the time of issue, ruler and the inscription on the coin. Some of the older coins (the oldest I could find was either a Qin or an early Han Dynasty Ban Liang) have some more information, but I am still working on translating those! Enough chitter-chat, we need more pictures!
The paper cover the book was originally wrapped in and some Javanese trade coins. And Lastly, some coins from my collection I could easily find in this catalogue. A Wang Mang Huo Bu spade (AD 14 - AD 23 from the top of my head), and a Ming-dynasty Tian Qi Tong Bao one wen (1625-1627), rev. Yun for Yunnan Province.
I hope anyone found this intresting,
Mika
Posted 11/05/2016 12:53 pm
