Wegweiser durch die chinesischen Höflichkeits-Formen by Tiefensee, Franz - 1924

Tokushima: Bando Verlag Lagerdruckerei,, 1919. Printed at a POW camp in Japan First edition, first printing, of this etiquette guide published in an unusual setting: Japan's Bando POW camp for German soldiers captured during the First World War. Books printed by the Bando prisoners were sold to customers around the world and are now much sought after. We have traced copies of this title in just four libraries worldwide. During the First World War, Japan took approximately 4,700 German soldiers prisoner following engagements in Shandong, China. The Bando camp was established in 1917 through the amalgamation of three existing complexes. The commandant, Matsue Toyohisa, believed in humane treatment and camp life was therefore comparatively lenient, with inmates allowed to form an orchestra, relax at a dedicated bowling alley, and interact with locals. The officially approved POW-run printing shop used a specially devised form of screen printing to produce a newspaper and dozens of homespun publications.… Read More