天經或問 / 游藝輯 ; 西川正休訓點 = Tianjing huowen (Some questions about astronomy) is one of the earliest Chinese astronomy textbooks. The Library's copy is rare the first edition printed in Edo (now Tokyo) in 1730. The original 1672 Chinese edition does not seem to have survived, making this 18th-century Japanese edition the oldest extant version.
The main text (the preface and first two volumes) are in classical Chinese by 游藝 (You Yi) with edits and supplements in the appendix by 西川正休 (Nishikawa Seikyū) in Japanese.
The work is historically significant for its contribution to astronomy and geography. It includes a map of the southern hemisphere with a distinctly Australian shape attached to a southern continent.
These items were acquired with funds from the Bequest of Dr M J Morrissey in honour of Professor Arthur Lindsay Sadler.
SubjectsAstronomy, ChineseAstronomy -- Early works to 1800
