Actualité

91047603 — London & New York ca. 1860's.A group of 3 full page sheets with woodcut illustrations text recording the activities of both the Japanese and British during this brief skirmish. . . . ILLUSTRATED HISTORIC COVERAGE OF THE SHINONOSEKI & . . . KAGOSHIMA AFFAIR 1864-1865 . . AS REPORTED BY THE LONDON ILLUSTRATED NEWS 1864-1865 . . . AND . . . GLEASON'S PICTORIAL DRAWING ROOM COMPANION 1854 . . In 1863 the Daimyo of Choshu Mori Motonori in June & July of 1863 ordered his people to fire on the American British Dutch and French vessels that passed through the channel. . As a consequence of this act of hostility Shimonoseki was bombarded by the Western powers. . This group of early original newspaper reports illustrate some historic views covers the action on both sides and also discusses the penalty paid by Japan to the foreign powers for this act. . The British were paid an indemnity for their lost sailors & marines in the battle. This is nicely documented herein. . Very nice group of very good illustrations and useful text. . THE SHEETS: Average size is 27.7 x 40 cm. . 1. a. "SKETCHES FROM JAPAN." Top woodcut illustration caption: "A JAPANESE LITTER." Shows two male coolies carrying a primitive palanquin bearing a Kimono-clad Japanese woman. . b. "VIEW FROM THE UPPER BATTERY SIMONOSAKI sic see next page." This shows a view from the coastline looking out to the sea with Japanese fortifications and guards on duty. See our website images: cover.jpg. . 2. "THE WAR IN JAPAN: THE NAVAL BRIGADE AND MARINES STORMING THE STOCKADE AT SIMONOSAKI SEPTEMBER 6TLH. FROM A SKETCH BY OUR SPECIAL ARTIST." 1865. This shows the British forces attacking the Japanese fort. Japanese cannon soldiers firing at the British. Other Japanese soldiers fire rifles from the flank dead & wounded British are pictured. smoke rises from the Japanese fort. Other Japanese soldiers are on the move up the flanks from the valley. Full page sheet one woodcut. See our title.jpg photo. . 3."THE ENVOYS OF THE JAPANESE PRINCE OF NAGATO PAYING THE INDEMNITY FOR THE AFFAIR OF SIMONOSAKI." This is a half-page woodcut. It shows two Chinese counting & verifying the indemnity while five clan Samurai supervise. This is our illus01.jpg posted to our site. website. . 4.3 woodcuts on one sheet. SCENES IN JAPAN: THE STRAIT OF SIMONOSAKI. THE TOWN AND HARBOUR OF SIMONOSAKI. ENTRANCE TO THE INLAND SEA. There are three woodcuts on a single sheet. See our illus02.jpg . 5. 2 woodcuts on one sheet. "COURT DRESS OF JAPAN." & "VIEW OF SIMONOSEKI JAPAN. With surrounding text at the top left & right. This shows an elite Japanese court woman in elaborate Kimono holding a bolt of embroidered silk Kimono cloth. A young is at her side holding a tiny purse also elaborately dressed with court coiffeur. Surrounded by the text. See our illus03.jpg . "VIEW OF SIMONESKI" shows a bird's-eye view of the harbor and Inland Sea the harbor wharfs and several ships. The text from the back side of 1.a. is illustrated as our illus04.jpg . Note sheets 1-4 are from London Illustrated News 1864-1865. Sheet 5 is from GLEASON'S PICTORIAL DRAWING ROOM COMPANION 1864 . Note. The British spelling of Shimonoseki varies with each page we herein write the correct spelling. . Color photos are posted to our website. . CONDITION: These are original mid-19th century examples there is some of the usual rough-cut left edges tiny closed edge tears a couple neatly mended from the verso all with strong images first 4 sheets bright last on a bit 'toned' paper. Otherwise no flaws marks or issues. Rarely found so clean! Much better than the average example. unknown