[SURPRISING TRANSLATIONS - JAPANESE TO AMERICAN ENGLISH AND FIVE OTHER LANGUAGES].

あめりかことバ. [Amerika kotoba].
[Vocabulary Lists for Japanese and Foreign Languages, Including American].

[Japan]. Circa [ 1860]. Stock ID #217209

Two black and white woodblock kawarabans, 22.4 x 30cm, occasional light creasing but overall very good.

These two kawaraban present vocabulary lists comparing Japanese with six foreign languages: American, Russian, British, Dutch, Chinese, and French. Alongside each vocabulary list, a small portrait of a "typical" man from the respective country is provided, with the country's capital indicated. For instance, an American soldier is shown holding a gun with Washington listed as the capital, while a Russian officer is depicted with a sword, and St. Petersburg is named as Petoruku, the capital.

The vocabulary lists themselves are quite difficult to interpret, raising the possibility that some of the words may be fabricated or inaccurate. However, in the American section, a few recognisable words, such as "silver" and "coin," appear to have been transcribed phonetically into Japanese.

When referring to this item please quote stockid 217209.

Price: $850.00 AU

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