Condition. The publication is in Fair condition. It is staple bound and the staples have rusted and broken. It is now in two major sections. The spine covering is missing. The covers have numerous chips and tears. Internally clean with only occasional light foxing. The contents and plates are in Very Good condition. The first folding color plate has tears in the margins which do not intured into the image area.

 
Dr Rein
Dr.Donitz
Dr. Hoffmann
Other authors:
Mittheilungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft fur Natur- Und Volkerkunde Ostasiens in Tokio, Part 6 (6tes Heft) (Journal of the German Society for Natural and Cultural Science of East Asia), December 1874, Reprinted, April 1890, Yokohama, Buchdruckerei Von R. Meiklejohn & Co., Berlin, Im Allein-Verlage von Asher & Company, 1873-1906, 4to (9 x 11 3/4 in - 22.5 x 30 cm), paper wraps, staple bound, German text and printed in columns, numerous black and white wood cut plates, 2 color plates (both fold out), charts, tables and text illustrations, 71 pp. This issue contains an extensively illustrated article on Japanese music with musical scores and numerous plates showing musical instruments. It also contains articles on the typhoon of September 13, 1874 and an article on the Ainos. There are two fine fold out color plates in the "Die Kleidung der Alten Japaner" (Japanese dress) article. Both of them show an archer.

General comments regarding Mittheilungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft fur Natur- Und Volkerkunde Ostasiens. This periodical is a well illustrated scholarly journal covering all facets of life and culture in Meiji era Japan. The primary contributors to the publication were German scientists, scholars and academicians living in Japan at the time. You often find their works published in a similar scholarly journal, Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan, which began publication in 1872 in Japan. The publication was issued individually and in bound volumes. Volumes 1-6 (1873-1897) contain parts 1-60 and were issued in the 4to format. Beginning with volume 7 the format was changed to 8vo. It appears that while publication was suspended from 1916-21 and from 1946-52 the periodical was published until 1953 and perhaps later. Wenckstern contains a very detailed listing (article by article) of the contents through Volume 10 (1906). Reprints of the earlier issues were made. The issues contain numerous text illustrations, tables, maps, plans, musical scores, and plates (some fold out and in color). Part 23 (March 1881) has a well illustrated article on "Die Liu-Kiu-Insel Amami Oshima" by Dr. L. Boederlein.

Variations in titles. The publication generally carries the title Mittheilungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft fur Natur-Und Volkerkunde Ostasiens. Herausgegeben von dem Vorstande on the front cover. Sometimes "Ostasines" has an apostrophe ("Ostasien's"). From the periodicals I have examined, the "Ostasien's" variation began with Part 3, September 1873. A reprint of Part 1 dated 1890 carries the title Mittheilungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft fur Natur-Und Volkerkunde Ostasiens in Tokio."

Printers. The first part ("Erstes Heft." - Mai 1873) does not state a printer only "Yokohama." The second part (2tes Heft. - July 1873 and third part (3tes - September 1873) were printed by the Japan Mail, Yokohama ("Yokohama/Druckerei der 'Japan Mail."). Starting with part four (4tes Heft. - Januar 1874) the printer is Echo du Japon, Yokohama ("Yokohama/Druckerei der 'Echo du Japon"). At least through part 24 (1881) and probably later, Echo du Japon remained the printer. A reprint of part one in 1890 was printed by R. Meiklejohn & Co, Yokohama ("Buchdruckerei Von R. Meiklejohn & Co.").

Albumen photograph tipped in illustrations. I have confirmed two parts with tipped to page albumen photographs. These are:

• Part 2, July 1873, at page 10, four tipped in albumen photographs (6.6 x 12.5 cm, each photograph). The page is titled "Ein Japanischer Globus." and the photographs show sections of a map/globe.
• Part 4, January 1874, at page 3, one tipped in albumen photograph (17.3 x 12 cm). The photograph follows an article titled "Sitzung in Yokohama am 10ten Januar 1874." The image is very faded but appears to be a view looking at a bluff.

More information on early issues:

• Parts 1-6, May 1873 through December 1874, click here.
• Part 6, December 1874, 1890 reprint, click here.
• Part 12, 1877, Separate (Supplemental) Issue, click here.
• Part 13, November 1877, click here.
• Part 24, 1881, Separate (Supplemental) Issue, Liu-Kiu-Insel - Amami Oshima article, click here.

 
Contents and authors:

1.  Der Japanische Adel, von M. von Brandt
2.  Uber Die Bereitung von Shoyu, Saki und Mirin, von Dr. Hoffmann
3.  Der Taifun vom 13th September 1874
4.  Einige Notizen Uber die Japanische Musik, von Dr. Muller
5.  Kocho Enkaku Zukai, von F. Krien
6.  Die Begrabnissgebrauche der Shintoisten, von Dr. Muller
7.  Uber die Japanischen Theegesellschaften, Cha No Yu, von Dr. Funk
8.  Uber die Pharmacopoe Japan's, von Geerts
9.  Einige Hohen und Ortsbestimmungen, von E. Knipping
10. Uber Eine Reise im Sudwestlichen Theil Von Yesso ,von Dr. Ritter
11. Die Kleidung der Alten Japaner
12. Naturwissenschaftliche Reisestudien in Japan, von Dr. Rein
13. Bemerkungen Uber Ainos, von Prof. Dr. Donitz
14. Kleinere Mittheilungen:
    1.  Japanische Susswasser-Moosthierchen, von Dr. F. Hilgendorf
    2.  Uber Einen tone von Sich Gebenden Schmetteerling, von Prof. Dr. Donitz
    3.  Uber Eine Eigenthumliche Missbildung Be Einer Katze, von Prof Dr. Donitz
15. Meteorologische Beobachtungen von E. Knipping 

First Text Page


Examples of Illustrations.

1.  Der Japanische Adel, von M. von Brandt
2.  Uber Die Bereitung von Shoyu, Saki und Mirin, von Dr. Hoffmann

3.  Der Taifun vom 13th September 1874


4.  Einige Notizen Uber die Japanische Musik, von Dr. Muller
    (total of 9 plates showing musical insturments)




















5.  Kocho Enkaku Zukai, von F. Krien






6.  Die Begrabnissgebrauche der Shintoisten, von Dr. Muller
7.  Uber die Japanischen Theegesellschaften, Cha No Yu, von Dr. Funk
8.  Uber die Pharmacopoe Japan's, von Geerts
9.  Einige Hohen und Ortsbestimmungen, von E. Knipping
10. Uber Eine Reise im Sudwestlichen Theil Von Yesso ,von Dr. Ritter

11. Die Kleidung der Alten Japaner


(chromo-lithograph - folds down and out)


(chromolithograph - folds out)


12. Naturwissenschaftliche Reisestudien in Japan, von Dr. Rein


13. Bemerkungen Uber Ainos, von Prof. Dr. Donitz


14. Kleinere Mittheilungen:
    1.  Japanische Susswasser-Moosthierchen, von Dr. F. Hilgendorf
    2.  Uber Einen tone von Sich Gebenden Schmetteerling, von Prof. Dr. Donnitz
    3.  Uber Eine Eigenthumliche Missbildung Be Einer Katze, von Prof Dr. Donitz
15. Meteorologische Beobachtungen von E. Knipping