Very rare, first and only edition of a translation into French of the "Annual Letter" for 1624, the annual account of the Jesuit missions in Japan written for their superiors in Rome. Although possibly written by Jesuits in Japan, the text was edited by Rodrigues Girão in Macao. First published in its original Italian as a standalone book in 1628, it was immediately translated into Latin, French, Dutch and German. The letter describes the Great Edo Martyrdom of 1623, when 50 Christians were crucified on the orders of the Shogun. Added to that are lives of the principal martyrs and descriptions of previous persecutions of the Christians in Japan, whose religion had officially been banned in 1614. The book ends with various papal letters of support written to the Christians in Japan, which are present both in their original Latin and in French translation.
With a library stamp and a manuscript date on the title-page. Some spots and waterstains in the margins, especially in the first 30 pages and some browning; small tear in the final page and stains on the final endpaper. Paste-downs are damaged and loose at several corners and front endpaper is missing. Binding rubbed, particularly on the spine. A good, structurally sound copy. Alt-Japan-Katalog 1319; De Backer & Sommervogel VI, col. 1973; Cordier, Japonica, col. 311; Lach & Van Kley III, p. 376 & 403; WorldCat (2 copies).