Rikugunsh (1 Ergebnisse)

Four folding black and white illustrations, 28 full-page black and white illustrations, 15 x 11cm, 37 double-folded leaves of text, occasional handwritten notes in text, paper covered boards worn with considerable loss at corners of upper cover. Contents generally clean and sound. This fascinating textbook on physical exercise for soldiers was published in 1884, during a period when Japan was modernising and expanding its military forces following the opening of the country. It provides detailed instructions for training different parts of the body and for teaching soldiers to stand and move in unison. The various exercises and movements are shown in numerous detailed illustrations. Interestingly, the figures depicted in the handbook appear distinctly Western, many of the men being shown with large moustaches. This copy may have belonged to an instructor, as handwritten corrections and additional notes have been added beside the printed text. The volume offers valuable historical insight into Japan?s adoption of Western-style physical training as part of the modernisation of its armed forces.…