Japanese Agent In Tibet Kisao Kimura Asia,Biography & Autobiography

Kimura, Hisao as told to Berry, Scott. London: Serindia, 1990. First English edition. Laid in is a letter on letterhead, signed by Kimura and one of his business cards. In 1943 Kimura (d. 1990), disguised as a Mongolian pilgrim -- and to avoid Japanese conscription -- he signed up for a spy mission, tasked with locating a rumored supply route. His country's military aspirations ended; he was on his own, eventually detained and jailed in Tsaidam, where he suffered a severe illness, then took on a long trek to Lhasa, then onto India, where he was recruited by British Intelligence who thought he was Mongolian. He was sent to Eastern Tibet to gather information on Chinese intentions. Later he made his way as a gold smuggler -- and the complicated story goes on. With photographic illustrations and a two-page map. Hardcover, in original jacket, 232 pages. Like new. Fascinating story.