Sekka zusetsu (Illustrations of snow crystals)

This is a collection of snow-crystal illustrations drawn with a microscope by DOI Toshitsura (1789–1848), lord of the Koga Domain in Shimosa Province. Toshitsura began observing snow crystals in his teens and preserved his drawings as Sekka zusetsu. The edition published in 1832 (Tenpo 3) contains eighty-six observation drawings by Toshitsura, together with twelve figures quoted from Kakuchi mondo (Katechismus der natuur) by the Dutch author J. F. Martinet (1729–1795). The illustrations are faithful to nature while also outstanding as designs. This work is also introduced in the digital exhibition "Japan-Netherlands Exchange in the Edo Period."