Railway Guide for Travelling in Japan Only one copy in National Diet Library of Japan
[Japan] A monumental work published a month before the Meiji emperor passed away, which is perhaps a hint as to why there appear to be no copies of this book anywhere except at the National Diet Library in Tokyo. The book is large (certainly not pocket-sized!) and ambitious so it seems very strange that it is seemingly so scarce. The first section gives brief information about various places in Japan and their associated train lines but the vast majority of the book is dedicated to advertisements for Japanese companies of many types. Filled with photographic illustrations and information, there is definitely a Chubu (Nagoya etc.) and Kansai (Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, Okayama etc.) region focus as the publisher was based in Kobe.
Kobe: edited & published by Wakabayashi Seiichiro, 1912.
pp. [6], 42, [208], [2]. 27 x 39.3cm.
In good condition overall. Front cover silk covering has split in a couple of places and cotton wadding can be seen. Silk frayed at edges. Boards are firm and securely attached. Internally very good. First and final leaves are creased and have short closed tears. Otherwise good. b38032033
