Eimei Hyaku Yuden (Stories of 100 Heroes) Presented to William Fraser by Fumio Nomura
Very interesting provenance. This book is inscribed, '1865 To Mr. William Fraser from Murata' and Fraser has written 'William Fraser - Lochabers' above that. Murata was the name used by Fumio Nomura (1836-91) until 1872. He and some acquaintances were smuggled out of Japan with the help of Thomas Glover. He went to the UK in 1865 and also spent about 19 months studying English in Aberdeen, Scotland, before returning to Japan in 1868. It is known that his English teacher was named Fraser (see p.85 of Andrew Cobbing's, 'The Japanese Discovery of Victorian Britain', Japan Library, 1998). After his return Nomura, as he was later known, worked for the government but left and started the satirical journal Maru Maru Chinbun in 1877.
Vol.1 only (of 3 volumes).
by Chikazawa Kozan. Art by Gyokuransai (Hashimoto) Sadahide
Tokyo. Wakabayashi Kihei & Odawaraya Yashichi. 1863.
42pp. 18.3 x 12cm.
In good condition. Original title slip. Wear to covers. Almost all pages separated at leading edge. General wear and a few stray marks. No worming.
b31020018
