濠洲侵略史 Gōshū shinryaku shi - The invasion of Australia

This item does not circulate at Library & Archives NT or has special loan restrictions.

4, 5, 297 pages, 1 unnumbered leaf of plates: illustrations, maps ; 19 cm, 1st edition. Scarce Japanese book on the history, economics and politics of Australia, illustrated with black and white images of Melbourne and Sydney, important historical figures, and with maps of the evolution of the states and territories. The text also touches on Australia's relationship with Asia, lists the number of votes for and against Federation, includes a commentary on the expulsion of Chines people from the country, the White Australia Policy, and so on. This book also includes a history of Japanese and Australian relations, starting with the visit of the mutinous Tasmania brig the 'Cyprus' to Japan in 1829. This account is particularly interesting as until as late as 2017 the event in question was dismissed as fantasy by scholars. Wilton Hack is also mentioned in the book as having tried to negotiate an immigration treaty between Australia and Japan, acting as an envoy of the South Australian Government. An early history of Australia published in Japanese, written with a very critical stance towards the English 'invaders'.