S.L.G.:
"My Japanese" A Topical Song of Japan, Words and Music by S.L.G, Yokohama, Kelly & Walsh, Meiji 28 (1895), small 8vo (6 3/8 x 8 in - 16.2 x 20.1 cm), English language, string tied, double fold crepe paper, color woodblocks on all pages, 20 pages (10 double fold pages) including covers. The book has no title page. There is a colophon on the back cover. While this book is sometimes attributed to Takejiro Hasegawa, I find no evidence to support this in the book nor in my research of the Hasegawa books.

The book is a tribute, in song and verse, to the Japanese language. There are four pages of notes and lyrics to a song ("My Japanese") about the language.

The song is followed by a six poems on the language. These poems consider subjects terms important to the Westerner in Japan.

1. Greetings. Ohayo, Ikaga-o, Konn-chi-wa, Komban-wa.
2. The Tea Houses - Ochayas. Tamango, Kirnbiru, Lemonade, Sa! Hayaku.
3. The Ricksha. Danna-san, Taranai, Mo Jiusen Taihen hayai.
4. The Curio Shop. Ichiban, Niju-yen, Yoroshi, Mo Arimasen.
5. The Kojiki (beggar). Tabero Deinai, Kanewo Okunasai.
6. The Policeman. Inaka, Menjo-nai, Ikemasen, Ma Shikatani.

The accompanying color woodblock illustrations depict these subjects and some show Westerners.

The book that is illustrated on this web page measures 6 3/8 x 8 in (16.2 x 20.1 cm). I have examined the book in a slightly larger size (6 1/2 x 8 1/8 in). Aside from the size, it was identical to this book. I believe that minor variations in size (less than 1/2 inch, horizontal or vertical) resulted from the manufacturing process.

All Pages

 
Japanese Inscription at Lower Left of Front Cover

 
Colophon at Lower Right of Back Cover

Printed: Meiji 28 (1895).5.10
Published: Meiji 28 (1895).5.13
Publisher: ??, 19 Motowai-cho, Kanda, Tokyo
Printer: Sei Hirose