Illustrations of Japanese Life
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Ogawa, K. Takashima, S. (descriptions): Illustrations of Japanese Life, Vol. I & II, Tokyo, K. Ogawa, descriptions by S. Takashima, 8vo (7 1/4 x 10 in - 18.8 x 25.7 cm), 26 (Vol I) + 70 (Vol II) black and white collotypes on crepe paper, bound Japanese style and silk thread ties. This set contains a total of 96 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. Volume 1 is in the vertical format. It consists of front and back covers, a title page and preface (1 double fold page) and 13 double fold pages containing a total of 26 plates/images. The book is comprised of 14 double fold pages and the covers. The title page lists K. Ogawa and does not give a date of publication. The volume has a colophon inside the back cover. Volume 2 is in the horizontal format. It consists of front and back covers and 35 double fold pages with 70 plates/images. There is no title page or preface but there is a blank double fold page. The volume has a colophon inside the back cover. The book is comprised of 36 double fold pages and the covers. 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. 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 96 collotype plate version, there is a 98 collotype plate version. For information on the distinguishing characteristics, see below. |
Title Page (Only in Vol. I)
Preface (Only in Vol. I)
Colophon (Vol. 1 & 2) Illustrations. Vol I. [** Not Found in the 98 Plate Version]
Vol II. [** Not Found in the 98 Plate Version]Maidens Children at Meals Listing without pictures but with consecutive numbers assigned (not numbered in the books) Volume 1. [** Not Found in the 98 Plate Version] 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. |
Backyard at a Tea House
"Sayonara!" (Good-bye)
An Accident
**Two Ladies in Full Dress
Venturing Out in the Rain
The Cherry
A Walk on a Snowy Day
A Carrier
The "Amma" (Shampooer)
The "Geisha" (Singing Girl) [the Laughing Geisha]
Japanese Maiden
The "Go-Inkyo" (Retired Gentleman)
A Courtesan in Full Costume
Volume I - 26 plates, 26 images on 13 double fold pages
**The "Matsuri" (The first stock of New Years Goods)
Scene on the "Sumida" River
Entertaining a Guest
Working Men's Holiday
The "Chanoyu" Ceremony
Picking Tea
An Afternoon Company
The "Samisen" (Banjo)
A Play
"Odori" (Dancing)
Orchestra [Koto, Violin, Samisen]
The Orchestra (five women]
Dancing
A Cup of Tea for the Company
Family at Dinner
"Hanami" (Flower Picnic)
Farmers Starting for the Field
The "Jinrikisha"
The "Kago" (The Palanquin)
Maple Garden at Takinogawa
A Miniature Garden of a Tea House
A "Matsuri" (Temple Festival)
The "Jinrikisha" Riding on a Rainy Day
The Ainus at Dinner
Buddhist Priest at Prayer
The Art of Floral Arrangement
Courtesans
A Curio Dealer's Shop
Basket Peddler
The "Ameya" (Taffy Puller)
Cloth Dealer's Shop
Marriage Ceremony
**A Toy Shop
Fencing
Porcelain Ware Shop
The "Kumamonoya" (Fancy Goods Dealer)
"Hakimono" (Clogs)
Greetings
Reeling Threads
A Well
The Cotton Spinning Wheel
Loom
Reeling the Silk from the Cocoons
Examining Warps [2 women weaving]
Silk Worms on a Card
Silk Worm Raising
A Florist
Farmers in a Yard
Rice Planting
Farmers in the Rice Swamp
Carpenters at Work
An Ox Cart
Mamma
The Geishas Holding a Letter
Volume II - 70 plates, 70 images on 35 double fold pages