Illustrations of Japanese Life
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Ogawa, K. Takashima, S. (descriptions): Illustrations of Japanese Life, Vol. I & II, Yokohama, Kelly & Walsh, descriptions by S. Takashima, 8vo (7 1/8 x 10 in - 18 x 25.7 cm), 32 (Vol I) + 66 (Vol II) black and white collotypes on crepe paper, bound Japanese style and silk thread ties. This set contains a total of 98 plates. Each plate has a title and generally a paragraph of descriptive information written by S. Takashima. While the image areas vary slightly, the norm is 6~7 x 4 1/2~5 in. This is one in a series of photographic album type books under this same title published by K. Ogawa. The four books with the same title, each containing 12 color collotype plates, are seen much more frequently than this set. The two books in this set have a volume number printed on the cover. This is not the case with the four 12 plate books. Volume 1 is in the vertical format. It consists of front and back covers (2 double fold pages). A title page and preface (1 double fold page) and 16 double fold pages containing a total of 32 plates/images. Covers included, the book is comprised of 19 double fold pages. The title page lists Kelly & Walsh as the sole agents and gives the date of 1896. Volume 2 is in the horizontal format. It consists of front and back covers (2 double fold pages). There is no title page or preface. There are 33 double fold pages with 66 plates/images. The volume has a colophon inside the back cover. Covers included, the book is comprised of 35 double fold pages. In the preface to Vol. I, 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. Several of the plates have the comment "see page xx." following the title. The pages in these two volumes are not numbered. Further, when you count the pages and go to the page that would carry the referenced number, there appears to be no relation between the images. I suspect the references were valid in a previous version of the book and left on the plates in error. I find very little information on the various Illustrations of Japanese Life books that Ogawa published. The four different versions each containing 12 hand colored collotype plates are, in my experience, most frequently seen on the market. For more information on those books, click here. The following three relevant entries are found in the Wenckstern bibliography. Illustrations of Japanese life, 100 collotype plates with short description in English by S. Takashima, folio, 1896 (yen 20.--).It appears to me that this is the two volume set Wenckstern references. However, the date is 1896 rather than 1898. The 100 collotype plate book noted first is folio size and these volumes are 8vo. I have seen a 100 collotype plate book reported with color plates on plain paper and that is probably the first book noted by Wenckstern. I have not seen a book that fits third reference noted by Wenckstern. Wenckstern, Bibliography of the Japanese Empire - 1894-1906 There are two versions of this set. In addition to this 98 collotype plate version, there is a 96 collotype plate version. For information on the distinguishing characteristics, see below. Vol. I Open to Plates
For information on Kazumasa Ogawa, click here. |
Title Page (Only in Vol. I)
Preface (Only in Vol. I) Illustrations. Vol I.
Venturing Out in the Rain
Listing without pictures but with consecutive
2 Volume Sets -- 98 Collotype Plates -- 96 Collotype Plates
Distinguishing Characteristic of the 98 and 96 Collotype Plate Two Volume Sets.
Covers. Identical covers with the same basic design. "Vol I" and "Vol II" numbers are incorporated into the image on the front covers of the 98 version but not on the 96. The decorative silk on the spine cover of the 98 covers only approximately 1 inch at the top and bottom. On the 96 version, it covers the entire spine. |
The Cherry [woman with a parasol under cherry trees]
The "Miko" Vestal Virgin
The Ainu Couple
The "Go-Ineyo." (Retired Gentleman)
The "Suwari Odori" (A Dancing)
Letter Writing
Morning Toilet
The "Amma" (Shampooer)
The "Geisha" (Singing Girl) [the Laughing Geisha]
Wrestling Match
Farmers Starting for the Fields
Scene on the Sumida River
Entertaining a Guest
Rice Planting
Farmers in the Rice Swamp (see page 41)
Mamma (see page 99)
The Geishas Holding a Letter (see page 1) [number not clear]
The "Hatsuni" (The First Stock of New Year's Goods)
Children at Meals
A "Matsuri" (Temple Festival)
The "Jinriksha" Riding on a Rainy Day (see page 18)
Maple Garden at Takinogawa
A miniature Garden of a Tea House
Basket Peddler
The "Ameya" (Taffy Puller)
Porcelain Ware Shop
The "Kumamonoya" (Fancy Goods Dealer)
Carpenters at Work
An Ox Cart
Summer Evening on the Shijo River
The "Koto" Playing
The "Kakubeshishi" [Child acrobats]
Orchestra (see page 76) Koto, Violin, Samisen
Working Men's Holiday
[Japanese colophon] Meiji 29 (1896)
