The German geographer Bernhardus Varenius (1622-1650) originally studied mathematics and medicine at Königsburg. Inspired by travel accounts of Dutch navigators he turned to geography, and, noting that there was a distinct lack of non-Jesuitical material, he compiled this monograph on Japan. The work is divided into three parts, the first being a general description of Japan taken mostly from Caron, the second is a translation from the Dutch of Schouten being a general account of Siam, while the third part is an account of Japanese religious practices and the introduction of Christianity. He also drew from accounts by Torsellini and Marco Polo. The first edition was published in Amsterdam in 1649.

8vo (12 x 18.5cm) [12], 292pp., title page printed in red and black, contemporary panelled calf, red morocco letering piece, lightly rubbed, a fresh clean copy.