Engelbert Kaempfer
by Wolfgang Michel, Barend J. Terwiel, 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.