Engelbert Kaempfer zum 330. Geburtstag

Published in 1982 by Wagener, this work was compiled to commemorate the 330th anniversary of the birth of Engelbert Kaempfer, the Westphalian physician and naturalist famous for his extensive travels in 17th-century Japan. The publication serves as a scholarly tribute to his legacy, intending to re-examine the impact of his seminal work, 'The History of Japan,' which acted as the primary window through which Enlightenment-era Europe viewed Japanese culture and geography for over a century.

The volume reflects the historical interest in Kaempfer as a pioneer of comparative geography and ethnography. It gathers essays and biographical notes that analyze how his meticulous field notes—often collected under extreme restrictions during his residency at the Dutch trading post of Dejima—challenged the contemporary understanding of Asian isolationism. The collection is highly regarded among historians for its academic rigor in preserving the context of Kaempfer's life in Lemgo and his subsequent scientific contributions.