Qilin's Voyage

Hand-drawn by the renowned Japanese picture book master Kobayashi Yutaka, this book tells the story of Zheng He’ s voyages to the West, including the arrival in Africa and the bringing back of giraffes.

After Zheng He’ s fleet reached Africa, they made many friends, performed many good deeds, and befriended a local boy named Mosa. Among the gifts received when the fleet returned was an animal called “ Kirin,” which, due to its similar pronunciation, was mistakenly believed by the fleet to be...