Hirodo

Biography & Memoir History Australiana

Graham Eccles’ Hirodo blends Australian farming memoir with Japanese cultural history, recounting how one merino sheep named Hirodo bridged two continents. First edition, staple-bound and printed by Snap Printing in 2010, this concise 99-page biography pairs Eccles’ family stories with black-and-white farm photographs that capture dusty shearing sheds and quiet Japanese pastures.

Ideal for collectors of Australiana, animal lovers, and readers curious about mid-century agricultural exchange, the book charts the author’s journey from rural Victoria to post-war Japan where Hirodo became a living symbol of trade cooperation. The pages carry a subtle nostalgic tone, balancing sheep-rearing detail with broader reflections on culture and identity.

This copy carries a neat ink inscription on the inside cover—likely from the author to an early reader—adding personal provenance without commanding the premium of a formal author signature. Minor cover scuffing, one dog-eared page, and light thumbing keep it in honest good condition; the binding remains tight and every photo plate is present.

A compact slice of Australian-Japanese farming history, Hirodo fits neatly on a nature-writing shelf or tucked into a travel bag for a quick, evocative read. First editions with Eccles’ inscription rarely surface, making this an accessible keepsake for enthusiasts of sheep, stories, and cross-cultural journeys.