Foreword

The appearance in 1943 of Dr. Casey A. Wood’s translation of Frederick II of Hohenstaufen’s 13th Century treatise of falconry, De Arte Venandi cum Avibus, was truly a milestone in the literary presentation of the art of falconry. De Arte, originally penned in Latin, was typical of the many ancient falconry works which are written in languages unfamiliar to the modern student. They were either in the classical language of the times (Latin) or in the tongue of the author, such as Persian or some dialect of the Far East. This language barrier is an effective block to the enjoyment of some of the most fascinating falconry literature ever written. It remains for such as Dr. Wood to unlock the door to these treasured histories of falconry.The long hours he spent in the Vatican Library pouring over Fredrick’s original manuscripts indeed represented a labor of love.

Developed in this same spirit is the volume by Dr. E. W. Jameson, Jr., assisted by his lovely Japanese wife, Eiko. Familiar with Japan and its language, and having a long standing practical knowledge of falconry, Dr. Jameson combined his talents in the preparation of an account of hawking in Japan. Combing Japanese bookstores for treatises on the art, talking long hours with native falconers, including those of the Royal Household, familiar with both ancient and modern techniques, and participating in falconry as practices in Japan today, Dr. Jameson accumulated the extensive knowledge of Japanese falconry which forms the basis of this work.

Unique in the English language, replete with fascinating facts and essential hawking information, Dr. Jameson’s book should long remain the definitive work on the falconry in Japan.

—Robert M. Stabler

The Colorado College

Colorado Springs, Colorado