Author: Fireworks.
Title: [Keitai Hitsuyo].
Description: n.p. 1887 (Meiji 20). Manuscript, 140x155mm, 100pp in ink on double folded leaves and some blanks, illustrations on four pages. On the back is the name Nakazawa. ¶ A pyrotechnist's working book on making fireworks. The first printed Japanese book on fireworks - by Risho - was published in 1825, though there are plenty of earlier prints, and little else was printed until the twentieth century. The secrets of fireworks, like most trades, were handed on in manuscript books like this.

Keywords: fireworks technology trades pyrotechnics c19th Japan Asia manuals meiji