Ogawa, K.
Takashima, S (descriptions):
Illustrations of Japanese Life, Tokyo, K. Ogawa, descriptions by S. Takashima, 3rd edition, Meiji 39 (1906), 8vo (7 1/2 x 10 in - 19 x 25 cm), 12 hand-colored collotypes on crepe paper, bound Japanese style and tied with purple twisted silk threads, spine covered, 9 folded leaves with stiffener paper in between (18 pages in total). This is one in a series of photographic album type books under this same title published by K. Ogawa.

The front and back covers account for 2 folded leaves. The first internal page has the Title Page (front) and Preface (back). The date which is found on the preface of the first edition is no longer present. The other 6 folded pages have a photograph - front and back. The focus of this book is Women. The photographs include, 1) The "Suw Ari-Odori", 2) Backyard of a Tea House, 3) Venturing Out in the Rain, 4) "Sayonara" (Goodbye), 5) Letter Writing, 6) Morning Toilet, 7) Buddhist Priests Conspicuous, 8) Two Ladies in Full Dress, 9) The Cherry, 10) The "Amma" (Shampooer), 11) The"Kamishino" (Ancient Ceremonial Dress) and 12) Japanese Maiden. The last 3 images were changed in later editions of this book. While the picture areas vary slightly, the norm is 7 x 5 1/2 in - 17.8 x 13.4 cm.

In the preface, K. Ogawa states:

I have to acknowledge my indebtedness to Messrs. Tamamura and S. Kajima, as well as Prof. Burton, for several of the plates in this volume.

For information on Kazumasa Ogawa, click here.

Illustrations of Japanese Life, 1906, 3rd Edition, K. Ogawa
The "Suw Ari-Odori"	Backyard of a Tea House
Venturing Out in the Rain	"Sayonara" Goodbye
Letter Writing	Morning Toilet
Buddhist Priests Conspicuous	Two Ladies in Full Dress
The Cherry	The "Amma" (Shampooer)
The"Kamishino" (Ancient Ceremonial Dress)	Japanese Babies

Dating this Book
Colophons, Japanese Text, Inside Back Cover

Colophon, 3rd Edition, 1906

The 4 rows of Japanese writing at the right give dates and editions. Starting at the right and reading left they indicate:

Meiji 29 (1896) - 1st edition printed
Meiji 29 (1896) - 1st edition distributed
Meiji 36 (1903) - 2nd edition
Meiji 39 (1906) - 3rd edition