Ogawa, K.
Takashima, S (descriptions):
Illustrations of Japanese Life, Tokyo, K. Ogawa, descriptions by S. Takashima, 1896, printed on crepe paper and bound Japanese style, tied with purple twisted silk threads, 8vo (10 1/4 x 7 1/2 in - 26 cm x 19 cm). Four books with different images have been recorded. Each book has 18 pages in total. This includes the covers (4 pages), the title and introduction pages (2 pages) and 12 pages of images. All pages are double folded so the actual page count is 9 double folded pages. Each book features 12 hand colored collotypes of 19th century life and customs of Japan which show people in daily occupations and activities. The images in these books focus on people rather than scenery or sights. Each image has a caption and most have an informative narrative paragraph below the image. Descriptions/captions were provided by S. Takashima, Professor in the Higher Commercial College. In addition to K. Ogawa, images are attributed to T. Tamamura and Professor Burton. However, individual images are not attributed to a particular photographer. Three of the books are in horizontal format and one is in vertical format.
Editions Recorded & Images:
- 1896, 1st Edition. I have seen these books offered with publication dates stated to be as early as 1893. However, all colophons I have examined show the first printing to be Meiji 29 (1896).
- 1905~1918, Later Editions. Editions 2-6 and 11-12 have are reported (don't know what happened to 7-10).
For information on Kazumasa Ogawa, click here.
Below is a listing of illustrations in various crepe paper books of the Illustrations of Japanese Life that I have recorded.
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The volume numbers noted below are arbitrary and assigned by me. The actual books all have the same title and do not have numbers or information in the title page which distinguishes one from another.
Volume 1: (Horizontal Format)
- Carpenters at Work,
- Porcelain Ware Shop,
- A Vegetable Dealer,
- A Toy Shop,
- Rice Planting,
- Farmers in the Rice Swamp,
- Vegetable Dealer's Shop,
- Hakimono Clogs,
- Farmers in a Yard,
- The Kago (Palenquin),
- The Hatsuni (First Stock of New Year's Goods)
- An Ox Cart
Volume 2: (Horizontal Format)
- Greeting,
- Maple Garden at Takinogawa,
- Marriage Ceremony,
- Playing the Koto a Japanese Musical Instrument,
- Hanami (Flower Picnic),
- Wrestling Match (Sumo),
- The Jinrikisha,
- The Ameya (Taffy Puller),
- The Shiohi (Fishing on the Dry Bed),
- Picking Tea,
- Sewing
- Basket Peddler
Volume 3 (Vertical Format)
- The Suwari-Odori,
- Backyard of a Teahouse,
- Venturing Out in the Rain,
- Sayonara,
- Letter Writing,
- Morning Toilet,
- Buddhist Priests Conspicuous,
- Two Ladies in Full Dress,
- The Cherry,
- A Blind Street Musician,
- The Dai-Kagura
- Japanese Babies
Volume 4 (Horizontal Format)
- Mother and Her Baby,
- Children at Meals,
- A Group of Fisherwomen,
- The Tentosai Dancing,
- A Miniature Garden at a Tea House
- Entertaining a Guest,
- Cloth Dealer's Shop,
- Summer Evening on the Shijo River,
- A Well,
- The "Jinrikisha" Riding on a Rainy Day,
- The Ainus at Dinner,
- A Matsuri (Temple Festival)
The above 4 volumes are often offered as a "set" or unit.
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Detailed Information on S. Ogawa, Illustrations of Japanese Life Books
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Focus on Industries and Trades of Japan
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Focus on Customs and Ceremonies of Japan (This Book)
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Focus on Women, Children,
Music & Priests
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Focus on Women, Children,
Pastimes and Customs
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