Illustrations of Japanese Life
Reproduced by K. Ogawa [Focus on Trades & Industries]
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Ogawa, K. Takashima, S (descriptions): Illustrations of Japanese Life, Tokyo, K. Ogawa, descriptions by S. Takashima, numerous editions (1~12 - 1896~1918), 8vo, 12 hand-colored collotypes on crepe paper, bound Japanese style and tied with purple twisted silk threads, 9 folded leaves with stiffener paper 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 other 6 have a photograph - front and back The other 6 have a photograph - front and back. The leaves have a paper sheet behind them to provide support. The focus of this book is trades and industries of Japan. The images are: 1) carpenters. The book is in a horizontal format and measures 10 1/4 x 7 1/2 in - 26 x 19 cm. While the picture areas vary slightly, the norm is 7 x 5 1/2 in - 17.8 x 13.4 cm. Many editions of these books were published and can be identified by the Japanese colophons inside the back cover. Examples of colophons (1st and 12th editions) are shown below. For more information on the colophons click here. The covers on the 1st and 6th edition on vary slightly. The first edition has a woman in kimono seated on a pine log. The 6th edition on has a woman in kimono seated on the floor. * The image illustrating the Kago is changed (see here), at least as early as the 6th (1911) edition. Also the order of the plates sometimes varies in the different editions. For information on Kazumasa Ogawa, click here.
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Dating this Book
Meiji 29 (1896).6.22 - 1st edition printed 
The 7 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 There is no accounting for the 7th ~ 10th editions. I presume this is the 12th edition (1918) because it is the last edition listed. Corrections/additions would be appreciated if I have misinterpreted the Japanese text. 
The 9 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
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Close-up, Hand-colored Collotype on Crepe Paper
 Larger Picture |
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