Interesting account and very important source about the Japanese customs, traditions and religious aspects written by Hendrik Doeff (1777-1835), who was the "opperhoofd" or head of the Dutch trading post on Deshima during the turbulent years 1799-1817. While Holland was occupied by the French, the Dutch East-Indies were under British administration - from 1811-1816 under Governor Raffles - the Dutchman Hendrik Doeff resettled on Deshima where he maintained the Dutch ruling. On February 16th, 1819 he set sail back to the Netherlands but was shipwrecked on the 9th of april. The whole crew was saved but Doeff lost all his papers, notes and other interesting materials which he had collected during his 19 years stay in Japan. In the foreword of his book, Doeff explains that the shipwreck and the loss of his papers have prevented him from writing a more extensive account.
With a manuscript dedication by the author on the recto of the first free flyleaf, in pencil, dated 1834. Overall good condition. Tiele 318; Cordier, Japonica, 488; Alt Japan Katalog 422.