Jonathan A. Hill, Bookseller Inc.

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Ginseng: The “Emperor of All Medicine”

1.GINSENG CULTIVATION. Manuscript on paper, entitled on manuscript label on upper

A very comprehensive and detailed work on the cultivation of ginseng and processing of its
roots. The anonymous author describes how to fertilize the soil with sardine juice, harvest the
ginseng after several years of growth, process the ginseng roots (including drying, steaming, and
soaking in sake), increase the medicinal potency of the roots, store and ship the ginseng, as well as
when to plant seedlings, etc. There are many references throughout to Chinese works on ginseng.
Fine copy. On the inside of the lower wrapper, there is a note dated Showa 18 (1943) by an
anonymous reader.
2. GINSENG. Manuscript on paper, entitled on label on upper cover: “Washin ninjin ko”
[“Thoughts about Japanese & Chinese Ginseng”]. Five brush & black ink drawings of ginseng. 10
folding leaves. Small 8vo, orig. wrappers, new stitching. [Japan]: mid- to late-Edo.
$1250.00

An attractive manuscript that describes the types of Chinese ginseng cultivated in Japan
and the plants’ medicinal qualities. There are a number of references to prominent Japanese
herbalists including Gentatsu (or Joan) Matsuoka, Jakusui Ino, and Shu’an Kagawa.
Fine copy.
3. HERBS. Manuscript on paper, entitled on manuscript label on upper cover “Ninjin ben…”
[“Ginseng Described…”]. Three full-page brush & ink illus. 29 folding pre-printed leaves. Three
parts in one vol. 8vo (241 x 169 mm.), orig. semi-stiff yellow patterned wrappers, new stitching.
[Japan]: at end of first part (in trans.): “Winter 1728”; this is a later copy, probably mid- to late Edo.
$2500.00

This most interesting manuscript consists of three parts, each by a different author:
1. WADA, Nagazumi. Manuscript title at end of part: “Ninjin ben” [“Ginseng Described”].
Three full-page brush & ink illus. of different views of the ginseng plant. 24 folding leaves. In this
text, the author, about whom we have learned nothing, describes the types of ginseng in China,
Korea, and Japan, their histories, references to many Chinese medical works, descriptions of the
plants and their cultivation, medicinal benefits, the international trade in ginseng, etc.
2. TAI, Genko (or IWANAGA, Genko, or OTA, Genko). Manuscript title on first page of
text: “Mao wakumon” [“Theory of Ephedra”]. 4 folding leaves. Ephedra sinica has been long used in
China and India as a stimulant and to treat colds, fever, headaches, coughing, wheezing, etc.
3. MATSUOKA, Gentatsu (or Joan). Manuscript on first leaf of text: “Igansai sensei goshin
setsu” [“Teacher Igansai [pen name for Matsuoka] on the Five Pungent Roots”]. One leaf. The five
pungent roots are onions, garlic, green onions, chives, and leeks. If eaten raw, these vegetables will
incite people to anger and disputes; if eaten cooked, they increase one’s sexual desire. We believe
this is an unpublished writing of Matsuoka (1668-1764), a leading herbalist of Japan and teacher of
Ono Ranzan.
Fine copy.
4. IMAMURA, Tomo. Ninjin shinso [Ginseng, the God of All Medicines]. One calligraphic title-page;
one color-printed lithographic plate, printed on both sides; & six pages of illus. with 18 figures. 30
leaves of text. 8vo, orig. semi-stiff wrappers, orig. block-printed title label on upper cover, new
stitching. [Seoul]: Chosen Sotokufu Senbaikyoku, 1933.
$750.00

First edition of this scholarly work on Korean ginseng and its cultivation and uses in medicine.
Imamura (1870-1943), studied in Korea for many years and served there during the Japanese
occupation. The lithographic plate, printed on both sides in color, depicts the ginseng plant
(including flowers and leaves), its roots, and the final products (red and white ginseng).
Fine copy. Upper cover a little waterstained.
5. KATO, Kensai & Genjun. Wakan ninjinko [Thoughts about Ginseng & Other Medicinal Plant Roots].
Eight full-page woodcuts & two large woodcuts in the text. 24 leaves & 4 leaves of ads. 8vo, orig.
brown semi-stiff wrappers (minor rubbing), orig. block-printed title label on upper cover, new
stitching. Edo & Osaka: Yuki Jirobei et al., 1774.
$2950.00

Second edition, revised with additions and corrections (1st ed.: 1748), of this uncommon work
on medicinal plant roots found in Japan, China, and Korea, and their cultivation and health
benefits. This work consists of three sections and two addenda, written by Kensai Kato (1669-
1724), and revised by his son Genjun (1699-1785). Both were medical doctors.
Kensai wrote this book to explain and simplify the teachings on medicinal roots of his mentor,
Jakusui Ino (1665-1715), physician and botanist. Ino studied Chinese herbalism and Confucianism
with the scholar Jinsai Ito while a student in Kyoto and was in the process of writing a great
encyclopedia of natural products at the time of his death. See Federico Marcon, The Knowledge of
Nature and the Nature of Knowledge in Early Modern Japan, pp. 103-07.
The first section describes cultivation techniques and includes two woodcuts. The second part
contains descriptions of the various roots, most notably ginseng. Part Three contains woodcuts of
eight kinds of plant roots. Part Four is an addendum to the second part, written by Genjun and
dated 1751, containing additional information. The fifth part is an addendum to the entire work.
There is much on conversations about herbal medicines with “Korean messengers” (merchants)
in Nagasaki. NIJL lists only the Kyoto University copy of the 1748 edition.
Nice copy, with some worming at beginning and towards end touching characters. We do not
find it offensive. There is some mis-information in the WorldCat entry (accession 70854024) for
other copies of the 1774 edition.
6. KUMAGAI, Genzui, editor. Kojin bon [Wide Range of References Concerning Ginseng]. Two woodcuts
(one full-page) of the ginseng plant. 35.5 folding leaves (of which the first 12 leaves are in finely
written manuscript). Small 8vo, modern dark blue wrappers, new stitching. Kyoto: Noda Tohachi,
1761.
$950.00

First edition of this very rare work (WorldCat lists only copies in Japan) on ginseng, one of
the most important medicinal plants of Asia. The text is based on the unpublished writings of Joan
(or Gentatsu) Matsuoka (1668-1764), a leading herbalist of Japan and teacher of Ono Ranzan. The
text concerns with the cultivation of ginseng in China, Korea, and Japan throughout history and its
medicinal uses in pharmacological preparations.
Good copy. There is some considerable worming throughout, all carefully mended but
touching characters.
7. ONO, Ranzan. Manuscript on paper, entitled on first leaf of text: “Kojinsetsu” [“Theory of
Ginseng”]. 25 folding leaves. 8vo (280 x 199 mm.), orig. wrappers, orig. stitching. [Japan]: Preface
dated 1810; this is a copy made later in the Edo period.
$2750.00

The final work by Ranzan Ono (1729-1810), who was considered the “Linnaeus of Japan.” He
started a school of botanical pharmacology in Kyoto, which, over the years, graduated more than
1000 students. During his long life, Ono travelled throughout Japan, gathering plant specimens and
recording botanical remedies. He was familiar with both Chinese and Western texts on herbal
medicines. Ono’s Honzo komoku keimo [Dictated Compendium of Materia Medica Enlightenment [or]
Clarifications on Honzo komoku] (1803-05), was the great Japanese materia medica and classification of
plants during the Edo period; it was intended to be a radically new annotation of Shizhen Li’s Bencao
Gangmu (1596). Many of Ono’s writings remained in manuscript, and his lectures were much
esteemed and extensively copied. These copies were tightly controlled by the school, and only the
students had access to them.
We know that on his deathbed, Ono was preparing this text. According to WorldCat, the only
surviving copy of the 1810 first printing of “Kojinsetsu” is located at the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek
in Munich. The 1810 edition immediately became rare, and manuscript copies were made, of which
this is one.
The text provides a history of ginseng in Japan, its varieties, methods of cultivation, and medical
benefits. It is written in kanbun; reading marks appear only in the preface. Like the printed volume,
our manuscript contains the afterword.
Fine copy.
8. ONO, Ranzan. Manuscript on pre-printed paper, entitled on manuscript label on upper cover:
“Kojinsetsu” [“Theory of Ginseng”]. 1 p.l., 7 pre-printed folding leaves. 8vo (235 x 158 mm.), orig.
semi-stiff aubergine wrappers, new stitching. [Japan]: Preface dated 1810; this is a copy made later
in the Edo period.
$2500.00
The final work by Ranzan Ono (1729-1810), who was considered the “Linnaeus of Japan.” He
started a school of botanical pharmacology in Kyoto, which, over the years, graduated more than
1000 students. During his long life, Ono travelled throughout Japan, gathering plant specimens and
recording botanical remedies. He was familiar with both Chinese and Western texts on herbal
medicines. Ono’s Honzo komoku keimo [Dictated Compendium of Materia Medica Enlightenment [or]
Clarifications on Honzo komoku] (1803-05), was the great Japanese materia medica and classification of
plants during the Edo period; it was intended to be a radically new annotation of Shizhen Li’s Bencao
Gangmu (1596). Many of Ono’s writings remained in manuscript, and his lectures were much
esteemed and extensively copied. These copies were tightly controlled by the school, and only the
students had access to them.
We know that on his deathbed, Ono was preparing this text. According to WorldCat, the only
surviving copy of the 1810 first printing of “Kojinsetsu” is located at the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek
in Munich. The 1810 edition immediately became rare. and manuscript copies were made, of which
this is one.
The text provides a history of ginseng in Japan, its varieties, methods of cultivation, and medical
benefits. Our manuscript is written in kanbun with reading marks. It does not have the afterword
present in the printed volume.
Fine copy.
9. ONO, Ranzan. Manuscript on paper, entitled on upper wrapper: “Ono Ranzan Ninjin ko”
[“Ono Ranzan’s Thoughts about Ginseng”]. 18 folding leaves. 8vo (246 x 167 mm.), orig.
wrappers, orig. stitching. [Japan]: late Edo–early Meiji.
$750.00

This appears to be the text of the notes on ginseng recorded by a disciple of Ranzan Ono. We
know that Ono’s final writings were on this herb, composed on his deathbed.
Ranzan Ono (1729-1810), was considered the “Linnaeus of Japan.” He started a school of
botanical pharmacology in Kyoto, which, over the years, graduated more than 1000 students.
During his long life, Ono travelled throughout Japan, gathering plant specimens and recording
botanical remedies. He was familiar with both Chinese and Western texts on herbal medicines.
Ono’s Honzo komoku keimo [Dictated Compendium of Materia Medica Enlightenment [or] Clarifications on
Honzo komoku] (1803-05), was the great Japanese materia medica and classification of plants during the
Edo period; it was intended to be a radically new annotation of Shizhen Li’s Bencao Gangmu (1596).
Many of Ono’s writings remained in manuscript, and his lectures were much esteemed and
extensively copied. These copies were tightly controlled by the school, and only the students had
access to them.
The text provides a history of ginseng in Japan, Korea, and China; its varieties and regions
where grown; methods of cultivation; chemical constituents; and medical benefits.
Fine copy.
10. SATO, Churyo (or TO, Shigehiro; pen-name: ONKOSAI). Manuscript on paper, entitled
on manuscript label on upper cover “Shinsei hiroku” [“Secrets about Ginseng, Listed”]. Ten fine
brush & ink drawings in the text. 8.5; 13; 2 folding leaves. Three parts in one vol. 8vo, orig.
wrappers, orig. stitching. [Japan]: from final leaf (in trans.): “Spring 1792“; this is a later copy,
probably early Meiji.
$1950.00

Sato (1762-1848), a leading honzo scholar and writer on agricultural matters, advised a number of
fiefdoms throughout Japan on modern agricultural techniques.
This is a collection of unpublished texts on the cultivation and processing of ginseng.
The first part concerns with the various kinds of ginseng (Chinese, Korean, and Japanese), their
various names and qualities, where grown, medicinal benefits, how to use as a medicine, etc. Part
Two describes the cultivation techniques of ginseng in Japan. This section is well-illustrated,
showing the leaf and roots of the ginseng plant. The final part discusses how to dry and mature
ginseng for pharmacological use.
Fine copy, minor worming throughout.
 First Printings
11. SATO, Churyo (or Shigehiro; pen-name: ONKOSAI). Onkosai Shinshi [Onkosai on Ginseng].
Eight woodcuts (two double-page). 1 p.l., 32 pp.; 1 p.l., 10 pp.; 1 p.l., 5, [1], 7-15 pp. Three parts in
one vol. 8vo, orig. wrappers, orig. block-printed title-label on upper cover. From printed label
pasted on inside of lower cover (partly in trans.): Aichi Prefecture: Mikawa shiryo kanko kai, printed
in 70 copies, 1936.
$950.00

First edition and a rare provincial printing, limited to 70 copies only. Sato (1762-1848), was
a leading honzo scholar and writer on agricultural matters. He advised a number of fiefdoms
throughout Japan on modern agricultural techniques. The first two parts of this work print Sato’s
hitherto unpublished writings on the cultivation of ginseng. The fine woodcuts depict various stages
of the plant’s development and parts, methods of sheltering the seedlings, etc.
Part Three prints for the first time Boyo Yamamoto’s Ninjin shoshoku ko [How to Cultivate
Ginseng]. Yamamoto (1778-1859), a prominent Kyoto doctor and botanist, was a direct disciple of
Ono Ranzan (1729-1810), the famous botany professor. The author of many botanical and herbal
works, Yamamoto had a school — the Yamamoto Dokushoshitsu — where he taught herbal
medicine. Yamamoto left a number of works in manuscript, of which this is one.
This book was printed by mimeograph, reproducing handwritten characters.
Fine copy. Not found in WorldCat.
 Unpublished until 1999
12. SO, Senshun. Manuscript on paper, entitled on manuscript label on upper cover: “Ninjin shiki.
Jii Sohan cho. Zen” [“The Knowledge of Ginseng Described. Fiefdom Doctor So. Complete”].
37 folding leaves. Two parts in one vol. 8vo (242 x 164 mm.), orig. semi-stiff blue wrappers, new
stitching. [Japan]: late Edo.
$3750.00

The doctor and botanist Senshun So (1758-1834), was the author of Seikei zusetsu [An Illustrated
Book of Agricultural Things], the great agricultural and botanical work issued in the early years of the
19th century. It is an encyclopedic survey of all the agricultural products and practices of Japan. He
served the Satsuma fiefdom under the lord Shimazu Shigehide.
So’s writings on ginseng are considered to be amongst his most important and remained in
manuscript until 1999. The author describes the varieties of ginseng found in China, Korea, and
Japan (with their various names); the regions and special habitats from which each type of ginseng
comes; references to botanical works issued in China and Japan; the cultivation of ginseng; and the
history of the use of ginseng in preparing medicines, with recipes. Each part has an index at the
beginning.
Fine copy.
 Korean Ginseng Production in Japan
13. TAMURA, Ransui. Manuscript on paper, entitled on first leaf of text: “Chosen ninjin
kosakuki” [“How to Cultivate Ginseng”]. 33 fine brush & ink illus. 33 leaves. 8vo (242 x 164
mm.), later semi-stiff orange-brown wrappers, new stitching. [Japan]: from the final leaf (in trans.):
“mid-October 1842. Ushigome juku [a study group], [possessed or copied by] Tsutsui.”
$3500.00

A manuscript copy of the first book to describe the agricultural experiments leading to
the successful cultivation of Korean ginseng in Japan. Tamura Ransui (1718-76), official
physician to the shogunate, “first succeeded in growing ginseng plants in Japan.”–Federico Marcon,
The Knowledge of Nature and the Nature of Knowledge in Early Modern Japan, p. 212. The importation
(actually, smuggling) of live seedlings from Korea proved to be a formidable challenge, but it
enabled Tamura to finally produce domestically grown Korean ginseng. By early 1740, commercially
viable quantities were at last cultivated on the island nation.
Tamura travelled throughout Japan studying and collecting rare herbs. He wrote extensively on
ginseng and other plants with economic value, such as sweet potatoes and cotton.
Our manuscript follows the printed book’s text and illustrations quite closely. The illustrations
depict the ginseng plants in various stages of growth, workers preparing the soil for cultivation,
pests, composting, sheds for growing seedlings, root systems of several kinds of ginseng and of
different qualities, a 28-year-old root, etc. There are five prefaces (two are at the end), dated 1748,
three dated 1764, and one undated. We find no copy of the 1764 first printing in WorldCat.
Fine copy.
14. TANG, Bingjun. Ninjin ko [Study of Ginseng]. 17 folding leaves. 8vo, orig. printed wrappers,
orig. block-printed title label on upper cover, new stitching. [Japan]: Rekijuen [Ishizaka Sotetsu],
first preface, by Sokei Ishizaka, dated 1830.
$1500.00

First edition, a variant issue with a three-page second preface at end and no addenda (our copy
agrees with a copy at Kyoto University). Tang was a physician who lived and practiced near Suzhou,
a major market for the trade in ginseng. His Ren Shen Kao (Ch.), here in the first edition published in
Japan, is a practical guide to the medicinal uses of ginseng and gives valuable insights into the
massive trade in ginseng during the 18th-century Qing dynasty.
Fine copy.
15. YOSHIMURA, Hensen? Manuscript on paper, entitled on upper wrapper: “Ninjin setsu”
[“Theories of Ginseng”]. Seven folding leaves. 8vo (248 x 174 mm.), orig. wrappers, stitched as
issued. [Japan]: date given on final page “1768“; this is a later copy, probably late Edo or early Meiji.
$1650.00

We are uncertain how to read the first name of Yoshimura, but “Hensen” is our best guess.
Yoshimura lived in the Satsuma region. This manuscript is concerned with different theories of
ginseng as a medicinal herb. The author discusses the writings of Zhang Zhongjing (active 168-96
CE), whose Shanghan lun [Treatise on Cold Damage] lists 21 multi-herbal decoctions containing ginseng,
and Li Dongyuan (1180-1251), whose therapies were widely adapted and established in Japan.
Fine copy. Minor worming.