Shu no Kigen: Seizon Kyoso Tekisha Seizon no Genri [The Origin of Species: The Principle of Survival of the Fittest in the Struggle for Existence]

US$2,480.00

ENQUIRE

BUY

Shu no Kigen: Seizon Kyōsō Tekisha Seizon no Genri [The Origin of Species: The Principle of Survival of the Fittest in the Struggle for Existence]

Darwin, Charles [original text by]; Oka, Asajirō [translated and revised by].

Tōkyō: Tōkyō Kaiseikan, Meiji 38 [1905].

An early and influential Japanese edition of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species (1859), translated and revised by the zoologist Oka Asajirō (1868–1944). Although this was the third published Japanese translation—following Kōzu Senzaburō's Jinsoron (1881) and Tachibana Senzaburō's Seibutsu Shigen Ichimei Shugenron (1903)—it is generally regarded as the first prepared by a trained biologist. The earlier translations were undertaken by a scholar of education and a law student respectively, whereas Oka was a biologist and played a central role in introducing Darwinian thought to the country's scientific community. An important landmark in the reception of evolutionary theory in Japan and an uncommon Meiji-era scientific publication.

One Western-bound volume, complete. Original boards lightly scuffed and marked. Sticker removal to lower free endpaper. Occasional foxing, marks, and browning internally. Two small ex-ownership stamps to title, one to first page of main text. Binding starting to crack. Endpapers mottled. Includes a photographic illustration of Darwin, one fold-out chart, and a selection of comments by scientists and journalists on lectures on evolution made by the translator. 4, 104, 8, 20, 894, 28, 12 p. 22.9 x 15.8 cm.

Shu no Kigen: Seizon Kyoso Tekisha Seizon no Genri [The Origin of Species: The Principle of Survival of the Fittest in the Struggle for Existence]
Price: $2,480.00 (USD)