Manuscript on paper, entitled on label on upper cover “Ogatama no ki sekkō” オガタマノキ拙考 [“My Humble Thoughts on the Magnolia compressa Tree”]
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Two finely hand-colored brush & ink illus. of the tree (one bound-in & another laid-in) & one black & white drawing tipped-in. Seven folding pre-printed leaves with the pen-name “Bankōtei” (see below) on the pillars. 8vo (251 x 181 mm.), orig. semi-stiff blue wrappers, new stitching. [Japan]: late Edo.
The Ogatama tree (Michelia compressa or Magnolia compressa) has a long history of sacred and medicinal significance in Japan and broader East Asia. A member of the magnolia family, the tree is native to southern Japan.
In Shintō belief, the tree’s name is 招霊の木 (“tree that invites spirits”), and it is traditionally planted near shrines as it is thought to welcome good spirits. The tree offers several uses in the Asian materia medica: the fragrant flowers are used in purification rituals and as a calming incense; the wood and bark can be used for mild aromatic tonics; and the tree itself can produce essential oils possessing soothing, antimicrobial effects.
The author of this anonymous work has given his pen-name on the pillars of the pre-printed leaves: “Bankōtei” 萬香亭 [“Richly Scented Studio”]. He cites a number of earlier writings on the tree (both historical works and materia medica), its importance in the Shintō religion and Japanese folklore, and its uses in medicine. He also provides a careful description of all the parts of the tree.
Fine copy. Minor worming, touching some characters. From the collection of Frank Hawley, scholar and one of the most discerning collectors of Japanese books and manuscripts. His seal appears on the first page of text. See R.H. van Gulik’s “In Memoriam. Frank Hawley (1906-1961)” in Monumenta Nipponica, Vol. 16, No. 3/4 (Oct. 1960-Jan. 1961), pp. 434-47.
The Ogatama tree (Michelia compressa or Magnolia compressa) has a long history of sacred and medicinal significance in Japan and broader East Asia. A member of the magnolia family, the tree is native to southern Japan.
In Shintō belief, the tree’s name is 招霊の木 (“tree that invites spirits”), and it is traditionally planted near shrines as it is thought to welcome good spirits. The tree offers several uses in the Asian materia medica: the fragrant flowers are used in purification rituals and as a calming incense; the wood and bark can be used for mild aromatic tonics; and the tree itself can produce essential oils possessing soothing, antimicrobial effects.
The author of this anonymous work has given his pen-name on the pillars of the pre-printed leaves: “Bankōtei” 萬香亭 [“Richly Scented Studio”]. He cites a number of earlier writings on the tree (both historical works and materia medica), its importance in the Shintō religion and Japanese folklore, and its uses in medicine. He also provides a careful description of all the parts of the tree.
Fine copy. Minor worming, touching some characters. From the collection of Frank Hawley, scholar and one of the most discerning collectors of Japanese books and manuscripts. His seal appears on the first page of text. See R.H. van Gulik’s “In Memoriam. Frank Hawley (1906-1961)” in Monumenta Nipponica, Vol. 16, No. 3/4 (Oct. 1960-Jan. 1961), pp. 434-47.