Inscribed by Edward Greey • The Bear Worshippers of Yezo and the Island of ...

Association Copy of The Bear-worshippers Of Yezo And The Island Of Karafuto (Saghalin): Or The Adventures Of The Jewett Family And Their Friend Oto Nambo by Edward Greey


Boston: Lee and Sheppard, 1884. Hardcover. Xiii, 304 pages. Pictorial covers designed and drawn by the author. Gray floral endpapers. One hundred and eighty b&w illustrations by Rinzo and by Ichiske Hamada. Inscribed to the flyleaf by Edward Greey: "Thomas & [illegible] [illegible] With compliments of the author."

Presumed place name illegible. Dated November 10, 188?.


Appealing pictorial covers remain vivid and bright, with minimal spotting. Heavy scuffing to corners and spine ends, with boards exposure, loss at top front corner. Front and rear hinges cracked; webbing exposed. The pages are clean and remarkably bright. No markings save inscription.


From the Preface: The present volume, the last in the series [with "Young Americans in Japan" and "The Wonderful City of Tokio"], is devoted to the manners and customs of the Bear-worshippers of Yezo, and of the five tribes inhabiting Karafuto (Saghalin). When I first visited the latter island in 1853, it was a portion of the Empire of Japan; but in 1875 it was ceded to Russia, in exchange for the Chishima (Kurile) Islands. I spent nearly a year cruising in the northern waters, and during that time became well acquainted with the people of Karafuto and Yezo; on one occasion traveling with a boat's crew from Soya to Hakodate, and being the guest of the fierce-visaged but gentle savages."