copied this from a rare books site.....I thought it was interesting. If any of you buy it, let us know so we can say we know you.

KANNOH GYOSHO SAICHA SETSU ZUKAI: INSTRUCTIONAL BOOK TO ENCOURAGE THE GROWING OF THE TEA CAMELLIA.

SUGITA, Shin.

Price: US$ 1080.00 [Convert Currency]

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Book Description: JAPAN'S MOST CELEBRATED PHYSICIAN PRAISES THE USE OF TEA [Japan n.d. Meiji era c. 1870'. s]. Green stiff wrs., stitched very good, 13 double leaves, 12 color woodcut illustrations nicely done, quite clean in blue cloth Chitsu, pegs, 14.5 x 22 cm. QUITE SCARCE A very nice work, outlining the methods of growing and cult- ivating the important tea camellia. Text in Japanese, with very beautiful color illustrations showing the flower buds, flowers, leaves, stems, flower in full bloom, nicely done. Imported from China, this treasured and honored plant has a most valued place in Japan, the source of Matcha or green tea for the Tea ceremony as well as most all varieties of Japanese tea. The plant has been cultivated in Japan for several centuries and is the most important cash crop of all flowering plants. Genpaku [1733-1817] was a pioneer Ran Gaku Sha [student of Dutch medical learning], who studied surgery under the celebrated Nishi Gentetsu, and became a physician. He along with other Japanese physicians translated a Dutch anatomy book: the most famous & precious work KAITAI SHINSHO or A NEW BOOK ON ANATOMY in 1774, this took some 4 years to commplete ! See THE JAPAN BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA & WHO'S WHO p.1488. Bookseller Inventory #90068701

Bookseller: RARE ORIENTAL BOOK CO., ABAA, ILAB (Aptos, CA, U.S.A.)