The Japanese South Polar Expedition 1910-12: A Record of Antarctica [Idioma Inglés] - Tapa dura

Compiled and edited by the Shirase Antarctic Supporters' Association this is the story of the Japanese Antarctic Expedition of 1910-12, under the leadership of army lieutenant Nobu Shirase. It was the first exploration of Antarctic territory by an expedition from Japan. After initial scepticism, success arrived when the support of Count Okuma, a nobleman and former Premier of Japan, was gained. The expedition sailed from Tokyo on December 1, 1910, in the Kainan-maru, a vessel only 100 feet in length. The ship arrived in Wellington on February 8, 1911 and four days later departed for the Antarctic. Poor weather was experienced for most of trip south and when the coast of Victoria Land was finally sighted conditions were so poor that a landing was impossible. They sailed on through the Ross Sea only to find even worse and soon they were surrounded by a heavy ice pack. It was impossible to go any further so Shirase turned the ship northward for Australia. They arrived in Sydney on May 1, 1911 and were initially greeted with suspicion and hostility but during their stay they were visited by Douglas Mawson and Professor Edgeworth-David, which did much to allay any fears. Captain Nomura and several members of the crew returned to Japan, returning some five months later with provisions, ships parts and other equipment. On 19th November they set sail again in a second attempt to reach an Antarctic landfall, with the specific objective of exploring King Edward VII Land. At the Great Ice Barrier they met Roald Amundsen's ship Fram, which was waiting for the return of Amundsen's South Pole party. A Dash Patrol& of seven men was landed on the Barrier and journeyed southward to 80°05'S, at which point adverse weather forced their return. Another party landed on the coast of King Edward VII Land and explored the lower slopes of the Alexandra Range. In mid-February, due to worsening weather, the decision was made to return home. On 20 June, 1912 the Kainan-maru reached Yokohama. The expedition had sailed over 30,000 miles since leaving Japan and despite not reaching the Pole, they had achieved all their other goals after departing from Australia. Their return welcome in Yokohama was a tremendous reception. Nobu Shirase died in 1946. Translated into English by Lara Dagnell and Hilary Shibata from the original published in Japanese in 1913 the book has 8pp colour plates and some 100 photographs and illustrations.. NOTA: El libro no está en español, sino en inglés.