Suzuki Yonejiro:
The "Soshi-Bushi" (Japanese Soshis' Song), Words and Illustrations by Yonejiro Suzuki, with Pianoforte Accompaniment, Tokyo, Jujiya & Co, No. 2, Sanchome, Ginza, Tokyo, Meiji 31 (1898), oblong 8vo (8 1/16 x 9 7/16 in - 20.4 x 24 cm), crepe paper, folded pages, silk ties, spine covered, text in English, 26 pages (13 folded pages) including the covers. The title page states: "N.B. The Illustrations to this work obtained a First-class Award at the Fine Art Exhibition (Chokokwai) held in Uyeno Park, Tokyo, September, 1897." The book starts with a two page preface which describes the "Soshi" class in Japan. This is followed by three pages of musical scores with words. These are followed by six chapters of additional stanza. Each page in the book has color woodblock illustrations.

These books are generally found with significant creasing and damage along the fore edge and top and bottom edges. I believe this is the inevitable result of the front and back covers being slightly larger than the internal pages. I measure the vertical distance from the top edge of the cover to the bottom edge of the cover to be 20.4 mm. The same measurement on the internal pages is 20.0 mm. It is much harder to measure the horizontal distance but it appears the horizontal axis of the cover is 3 mm or perhaps 4 mm wider than the internal pages. Since the covers actually extend over the text block creased and edge damaged covers are the normal condition with these books.

Colophon (inside back cover)

Printed: Meiji 31 (1898), 8.1
Published: Meiji 31 (1898), 8.4