Engelbert Kaempfer

Critical edition of the manuscript "Heutiges Japan" (Japan of Today), written by the German naturalist, traveller and physician Engelbert Kaempfer (1651-1715) after his return from a two years stay in Japan (1690-1692). Kaempfer's text was published after his death in English, French and Dutch translations that had a decisive influence on the European perception of Japan throughout the 18th century. The critical edition provides the first undistorted view on Kaempfer's descriptions and judgements.