Japanese geography textbook: Outline of World Geography - 1876

This is an original Meiji-era Japanese geography textbook titled
“Bankoku Chishi Ryaku – Volume One” (Outline of World Geography),
edited by a Normal School (Teacher Training School) and published in Meiji 9 (1876).

This book was created as an educational textbook for teacher training and school instruction during the early Meiji period, when Japan was actively introducing Western knowledge into its modern education system. It represents one of the earliest attempts to systematically present global geography to Japanese students.

According to the table of contents, Volume One covers the following main regions:
The first section focuses on Asia, describing its geography, major regions, natural features, populations, and principal countries.
The second section is devoted to Africa, introducing its continental structure, climate, landscapes, and peoples as understood in the late 19th century.
Subsequent sections (announced in the contents) indicate coverage of Europe in later volumes, showing that this work was conceived as a comprehensive, multi-volume world geography.

The book is richly illustrated with woodblock-printed engravings, including city views, ports, landscapes, people, animals, and daily life scenes. These illustrations were intended to help students visualize distant lands that were largely unknown in Japan at the time, and today they offer valuable insight into Meiji-era perceptions of the world.

Condition-wise, the book shows age-related wear, including stains, discoloration, foxing, small tears, edge wear, creases, and handwritten notes. These are consistent with a school textbook that was actively used more than 140 years ago and contribute to its authenticity as a historical educational artifact.

This item is highly suitable for collectors of early Japanese textbooks, historians of education, scholars of Meiji modernization, and collectors of illustrated books.

Artist / Editor / Publisher Information
Editor: Normal School Editorial Committee (師範學校編輯)
Normal Schools played a central role in Japan’s modern education reforms during the Meiji period. Textbooks edited by these institutions were designed to standardize knowledge and teaching methods nationwide.
Bankoku Chishi Ryaku is a representative example of early government-approved educational material, reflecting how global geography was introduced to Japanese educators and students in the late 19th century.

Size: Approx. H23 × W15 × D1 cm

Condition: (Please refer to the photos for details)
- This is a vintage / pre-owned item.
- Due to age and previous use, there may be signs of wear such as scratches, stains, discoloration, or creases.
- Please note that vintage items may have a distinctive smell due to long-term storage or materials used.
Sensitivity to such odors may vary from person to person and from country to country.
- We try to describe the condition as accurately as possible, but perceptions may differ depending on individual standards.
- Colors may appear slightly different depending on your monitor or lighting when the photos were taken.
- Please purchase only if you understand and appreciate the unique characteristics of vintage items.

Shipping
The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by mainly Japan Post or DHL depend on the situation.
It will be shipped from Japan, so it takes about 2-3 weeks to receive normally.

Please understand that we use recycled materials (cardboard, old newspapers, etc.)
as much as possible for packaging materials in order to protect the environment.

Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
These charges are the buyer's responsibility.

Sometimes Customs or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email.
Please make sure that you could answer their contact.
If you don't, the parcel will be returned to us and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping.

Thank you for your cooperation.