Japan's truly fabulous illustrated encyclopaedias

Today, and October 22nd annually, is 'Illustrated encyclopaedia day' 図鑑の日.  If you put "図鑑", zukan, into an online translator (Google / Bing / Weblio) it is translated into "illustrated book", but zukan are more than just illustrated books, in Japan they refer to a specific type of illustrated encyclopaedia. Japan's "zukan" are really fabulous. They have such a wide range, more so than in my home country. 

The date was chosen as the anniversary of when the first edition of "Illustrated Botanical Encyclopedia" was published on this day in 1908. It was the first time in Japan that a book was titled "Illustrated Encyclopedia." "Illustrated Botanical Encyclopedia" was edited by the Tokyo Society of Natural History (represented by Murakoshi Michio) and revised by Makino Tomitaro, and published by Hokuryukan/Sanbunsha.

When my children were small we often borrowed "zukan" from the library, but I also bought some. To this day, I most frequently use the insect "zukan" illustrated encyclopaedias. Japan has so many insects that are not in my home country and I find the insect encyclopaedia particularly useful to identify them. Have you any "zukan" in your home? Which is your favorite?