The book was written by a very observant zoology professor living in Japan in the 1870s. All the drawings in the book are his own I believe. You will enjoy this book very much.
Very cool. I really enjoy stuff made with traditional building materials. Such as timber frame homes with cobb walls. I also like traditional Japanese home building stuff.
I think it's cool you are in civil engineering. Maybe you could learn some old school style mechanical drafting for your drawing passion :). If I could handle above middle school level algebra I would probably try to go to school for civil engineering.
I saw this sometimes as a bicycle mechanic. It's not uncommon for the mechanics who were apprentices to do better then the ones who went to school for it. Not to say all school is "bad" but sometimes practical experience trumps "paper"
My friends son wants a bonsai tree. I agree to give him one for free if he re-potted himself. Teachable moment for a potential future bonsai practitioner. These little Japanese Junipers make great starter trees.