Knapp, Arthur May. Feudal and Modern Japan. Second Edition. Boston: L. C. Page and Company, 1897.

(140 x 105 mm) 2 vols. [224 and 226 pp]. Two-toned title page. Each volume includes 12 black and white photographs on stiffer paper with guard papers (one lacking). Japanese characters typeset in vol. 2. Interiors clean. Bound in woven cream coloured textile with gilt emblem in English and vertical chop in Japanese. Staining to covers. Inserted in Volume 2 is a small calling card of Mr. Benjamin Franklin Pitman (1815-1888). Printers ticket in both volumes from Chas. E. Lauriat Co. Booksellers & Importers Boston. Overall VERY GOOD condition.

About the Book & Author:

Towards the end of the 19^th century, Japan emerged from its isolationist culture into a the beginnings of a major world economic and political power. While Japan’s influence spread outward, the West’s methods of business, education, and military seeped in. Along with this, Christian missionaries also entered the scene.

One of these missionaries was Arthur May Knapp, who was sent to Japan by the Directors of Association in 1888 to advance Christianity. After a year abroad he returned and reported his experiences and was sent back to Tokyo with Rev. Clay MacCauley. They focused on sharing and exchanging spiritual ideas rather than converting the Japanese. Knapp helped foster close relationships with Japanese universities and launched several initiatives, including a magazine and a school for training leaders. After handing over the mission's leadership, he returned to the U.S. but later moved back to Japan to become the editor of the "Japan Advertiser." Knapp eventually returned to the U.S. in 1910, where he spent his remaining years before passing away in 1921 after a period of personal tragedy and illness.

This two volume book presents the late 19^th century Japan that he was immersed in— its social and political history, embellished with photos depicting landscape and people.

About the Owner:

Born in Salem, Massachusetts, Benjamin’s family moved to Hilo, Hawaii in 1833. He married the very young high cheifess Kino’ole o Liliha shortly thereafter to shore up business prospects on the island. In the 1840s, Pitman set up a one-room shelter on the rim of Mt. Kilauea and called it the “Volcano House,” which would (after several iterations) become the famous hotel that lodges visitors to the National Park today.