A JAPANESE

ROBINSON CRUSOE

BY JENICHIRO OYABE, M.A., B.D.

HOWARD UNIVERSITY, YALE UNIVERSITY

BOSTON

The Pilgrim Press

CHICAGO

Copyright 1898

Although not a stated First Edition, I find no record of this book having been reprinted prior to the 21st Century.

Hardbound in good condition, 219 pages includes a FRONTISPIECE, CONTENTS, PREFACE, CONTENTS, and a Number of Sketch ILLUSTRATION plates, measures approximately 5" x 7 ½", no dust jacket, likely none issued.

The boards are covered in a brownish burgandy cloth with titles blind stamped in gold on the spine and cover. The surfaces are rubbed with titling still quite legible on both cover and spine, rounding of corners but quite modest wear to the edges, no wearing through or tears.  Most notable flaw is a whitish type of rubbing to the front cover. Images of both front and rear board are being presented for your examination.

The interior reveals the contents to be firmly bound with no loose or misaligned pages. Age toning is noted with foxing to the end papers.  The front paste down reveals this book to have been "Property of the Simpson Union Sunday School," with the rules and regs of borrowing being written out in longhand. The illustrations are printed on a porcelain stock with glassine over the frontispiece photo of Mr. Oyabe.   Overall, the interior is clean, pleasingly presentable for a publication of nearly 120 years. There are no further ownership indications, no marks,  creases or tears.

I entitle this book "A Japanese Robinson Crusoe," because my wandering life much resembles that of the fictitious Robinson Crusoe. The difference between the old and the new Crusoe consisted in this, that the former drifted away unintentionally to a desolate island, while the latter wandered purposely from island to island, looking for a "land of saints," and finally reached the shores of America, leading there, during nine years, a struggling life in pursuit of a higher education. PREFACE excerpt § Jenichiro Oyabe, New Haven Connecticut, January, 1898.

As follows is a delightful narrative by a young Japanese man who pursues his education in America and also seeks to enrich his knowledge of mankind by visiting many foreign countries and remote locations along the way.

  Written with sincerity, Mr. Oyabe relates experiences that are frequently influenced by his Japanese upbringing, yet without attempting to color or sensationalize. He chose not to have his work over-edited, with the result at times being less than perfect English but generally, lending authenticity to his narrative.

In recent years, this book has been reproduced in this country for informational purposes, however, original 1898 editions of A JAPANESE ROBINSON CRUSOE are a rare today. I rather suspect that after his return to Japan, he did not follow up on having the book reprinted, or perhaps the timing was just not quite right. Although only the final 18 pages pertain specifically to Hawaii, it is a fascinating look at the Islands and the world through eastern eyes certainly a unique addition to any historical collection. USPS Priority Mail Delivery, Domestic or International offered, securely packed to prevent shipping damage, GE tax applicable on sales to all residents of the State of Hawaii. 

 

Mandarin Books Hawaii

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