[Rarebooks] 17TH CENTURY JAPANESE MATHEMATICS-WASAN.

[Laderman]

TOYOTSUGU, MOCHINAGA: KAISANKI KOMOKU.[GENERAL MATHEMATICS] EDITED BY 
TAKUSEI, OHASHI; MASASHIGE YAMADA. Publisher: Daimonjiya Nishimura 
Shichirobe; Kitamura Shirobe. Jokyo 4 [1687]. Book I, 65; Book II, 
parts 1 and 2, 36; 26; Book III. 69 PP. Colophon. Bound togther in 
one volume. Teaches the use of all Japanese mathematical tools, like 
the Soroban [Abacus]; Japanese methods for dealing with geometry, 
packing systems. With numerous woodcut illustrations of all devices, 
diagrams of geometrical problems and packing systems, and algebraic 
equations. This is a book of practical mathematics for the 
non-mathematician. It was meant for people such as architects, 
designers, wholesale merchants, ship captains, warehouse operators, 
grain merchants, Etc. The math is surprisingly sophisticated. This 
text does not include the major mathematical discoveries of Seki, who 
in the 17th century discovered a number of the methods of calculus, 
Bernouilli's theorem independently of the West as well as other 
refinements allowing manipulation of more difficult algebraic 
equations. But this practical book reflects some of those 
developments, in so far as they can help work out geometric, and 
practical algebraic problems. Kokusho So Mokuroko: 126330 [Japanese 
bibliography of Edo printing], OCLC 1 Loc[LC]; Unloc. in Japanese 
Union Catalog [of European holdings], Unloc. in Waseda U. Lib, either 
Japanese character or Romaji search. Early plain wrappers. The front 
wrapper lacks a title slip. The title is written in brush and ink. 
Both wrappers dusty, the front wrapper more than the rear. With some 
small misfoldings at the outer edge of pages. At least one of these 
was present before printing, and resulted in missing a portion of the 
outer line and part of the caption title on that  side of that sheet. 
Pagination given above is in sheet numbers. Each sheet represents two 
pages, since they are folded at the outer margin. A rare and 
significant Japanese Math. book  Japanese 17th century mathematics in 
general is rare and sought after, especially in Japan, since it was 
one of the intellectual high points of national scientific and 
intellectual accomplishment during the period of Japanese isolation. $1250.00

ZITA BOOKS / NEW YORK, N.Y. / G. LADERMAN
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