ISHIBASHI, Masakata, & Nakayama Takekazu.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Eigo sen ("Dictionary and Phrasebook for the English Language"). First edition of this early work for Japanese learners of English. Its focus on the language of polite conversation, travel, and commercial exchange anticipates the expansion of Japan's global ties in the wake of the Meiji Restoration.The two volumes consist of thematic vocabulary sections, covering such topics as weather, geography, occupations, and flora and fauna, as well as important adjectives and verbs. Half of the second volume is devoted to useful conversational phrases: "some coffee and tea?"; "I know almost nothing"; "abridge your writing"; and "that cloth is of [sic] five dollars take it or leave it". The contents resemble those of the 1848 Japanese-Dutch dictionary Bangosen, suggesting that it was probably translated from that work rather than compiled through direct interaction with native speakers.There are two known variants of this work, with and without an introduction by Nakayama. This copy does not have the introduction. No precedence has been established.

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.