~~ Views of Tokyo in Collotype
by K. Ogawa ~~

 
Ogawa, Kazumasa:
Views of Tokyo in Collotype by K. Ogawa, Photographer, Tokyo, horizontal 8vo (10 1/8 x 6 3/4 in - 25.5 x 17.4 cm), 1895 (Meiji 28), decorated card covers, string ties, 60 black and white collotype plates. The plates are printed on card stock and on only on one side. Each plate is numbered and contains a caption below the collotype image. There is one tissue guard and it is placed before the first plate. The images are in horizontal formate (landscape). A few images are much taller than wide and those are displayed with the bottom of the image at the fore edge of the book.

The covers on this book are unusual in that they are a variant of the covers Ogawa used on his Views and Types series of collotype photo albums/books (see below).

The collotype images vary slightly in size. They generally take up 40-60% of the plate and measure approximately 5 3/4 x 4 1/4 in - 14.5 x 11 cm

The 10th image ("10. The garden in Tokyo of the Chief of the Liu Kiu islands.") is a seldom photographed location. In 1879 The Ryukyu Islands (Liu Kiu islands) were annexed by Japan. The then King (Sho Tai - 1843-1901) was given the Japanese title of Marquis and relocated (essentially exiled) to Tokyo. This appears to be the garden in his residence in exile in Tokyo. This is the only image I have encountered relating to this.

 
No Title Page.

 


[Banding seen on the images is caused by scanner and is not on the plate.]



1.   Castle grounds, inner moat.


Click on image above for larger picture.



2.   Moat(Ojo Uchibori), castle grounds.



3.   View from the Atagoyama hill.



4.   Votive stone lanterns at the entrance to temples at Shiba park.



5.   Entrance to the Tokugawa Iyenobu shrine, Shiba park.



6.   Shrine and tomb of the 12th Shogun in Shiba park.



7.   Entrance to the Tokugawa Iyetsugu shrine, Shiba park.



8.   Tomb of Iyeshige (14th Shogun) Shiba park.


9.   Entrance to the Rokumeikwan (building for official receptions and the Tokyo Club.



10.  The garden in Tokyo of the Chief of the Liu Kiu islands.


Click on image above for larger picture.



11.  Entrance to a nobleman's residence; ancient style.



12.  Imperial Hotel.



13.  Scene in the garden at Mitoyashiki.



14.  Entrance to an Imperial building formerly a Diamiyo's palace and now 
used by the Army Department.



15.  View of Army Bureau from the Sakurada moat



16.  Front view of Shinto shrine in commemoration of soldiers killed in war, 
Top of Kudan Hill.



17.  View of castle from near Kojimahchi.



18.  The temporary Houses of Parliament.



19.  Interior, House of Peers.



20.  Interior, House of Commons.



21.  The Ginza Street viewed from Shimbashi.



22.  Front of Shintomiza theatre.



23.  Geisha (dancing-girls) houses, near Ginza.



24.  Junks off the bund Tsukiji.



25.  The Hotel Metropole.



26.  Japanese Junk, taken at the mouth 
     of the Sumida river.


Click on image above for larger picture.



27.  Fishing off Susaki, Fukagawa.



28.  Wrestlers at Riogoku.



29.  Warehouse and cargo boats, view from Aramebashi (bridge).



30.  Maqin road in the Uweno Park.



31.  Road at Uweno park leading to Iyemitsu shrine.


32.  Refreshment booths during the cherry blossom 
season at Uweno park.



33.  Votive stone saterns in front of the Shogun's 
(Iyeyasu) temple Uweno.


34.  View from the hill in Uweno park.



35.  Front of Asakusa Temple.



36.  Interior of Asakusa temple.



37.  Shows at Asakusa temple grounds.



38.  Pagoda, Asakusa Temple.



39.  Twelve storied tower in the temple 
     grounds at Asakusa.


Click on image above for larger picture.



40.  Entrance to the Yoshiwara grounds.



41.  Snow scene with pleasure boats on river at Sanyabori.



42.  Cherry trees in blossom on the banks of the Sumida river.



43.  Scene on the Sumida river.



44.  Fishing on the Sumida river.



45.  Cherry trees on the banks of the Sumida river.



46.  Work in the paddy fields at Oji.



47.  Wisteria in flower at Kameido Temple grounds, Honjo.


48.  Bamboo grove at Meguro


Click on image above for larger picture.
 


49.  Display of Peony flowers.



50.  Iris in flower at Horikiri.



51.  Display of Chrysanthemum flowers at Dangozaka.



52.  Private garden, Oji.



53.  Tea houses at Oji.



54.  View of Maple trees at Takinogawa, Oji.



55.  Scene at the sea-side of Omori, (collecting sea-weed).



56.  Tombs of the 47 Ronin (loyal retainers) at Takanawa.


Click on image above for larger picture.



57.  Effigies of the 47 Ronin or loyal retainers in Sengakuji temple Takanawa.



58.  Castle moat during lotus season.



59.  Gate and moat, castle grounds.



60.  The inner moat round the castle.

 
Close up of Collotpye Printing

Click on image above for larger picture.

 
Colophon (inside back cover):

Click on image above for larger picture.


Printed: Meiji 28 (1895).6.21
Published: Meiji 28 (1895).6.25
Address on Far Left in Colophon:
Ogawa Shashin Seihanjo (Seihan Sho) 




60 Platea - Captions Only



1.   Castle grounds, inner moat.
2.   Moat(Ojo Uchibori), castle grounds.
3.   View from the Atagoyama hill.
4.   Votive stone lanterns at the entrance to temples at Shiba park.
5.   Entrance to the Tokugawa Iyenobu shrine, Shiba park.
6.   Shrine and tomb of the 12th Shogun in Shiba park.
7.   Entrance to the Tokugawa Iyetsugu shrine, Shiba park.
8.   Tomb of Iyeshige (14th Shogun) Shiba park.
9.   Entrance to the Rokumeikwan (building for official receptions and the Tokyo Club.
10.  The garden in Tokyo of the Chief of the Liu Kiu islands.
11.  Entrance to a nobleman's residence; ancient style.
12.  Imperial Hotel.
13.  Scene in the garden at Mitoyashiki.
14.  Entrance to an Imperial building formerly a Diamiyo's palace and now used by the Army Department.
15.  View of Army Bureau from the Sakurada moat.
16.  Front view of Shinto shrine in commemoration of soldiers killed in war, Top of Kudan Hill.
17.  View of castle from near Kojimahchi.
18.  The temporary Houses of Parliament.
19.  Interior, House of Peers.
20.  Interior, House of Commons.
21.  The Ginza Street viewed from Shimbashi.
22.  Front of Shintomiza theatre.
23.  Geisha (dancing-girls) houses, near Ginza.
24.  Junks off the bund Tsukiji.
25.  The Hotel Metropole.
26.  Japanese Junk, taken at the mouth of the Sumida river.
27.  Fishing off Susaki, Fukagawa.
28.  Wrestlers at Riogoku.
29.  Warehouse and cargo boats, view from Aramebashi (bridge).
30.  Maqin road in the Uweno Park.
31.  Road at Uweno park leading to Iyemitsu shrine.
32.  Refreshment booths during the cherry blossom season at Uweno park.
33.  Votive stone saterns in front of the Shogun's (Iyeyasu) temple Uweno.
34.  View from the hill in Uweno park.
35.  Front of Asakusa Temple.
36.  Interior of Asakusa temple.
37.  Shows at Asakusa temple grounds.
38.  Pagoda, Asakusa Temple.
39.  Twelve storied tower in the temple grounds at Asakusa.
40.  Entrance to the Yoshiwara grounds.
41.  Snow scene with pleasure boats on river at Sanyabori.
42.  Cherry trees in blossom on the banks of the Sumida river.
43.  Scene on the Sumida river.
44.  Fishing on the Sumida river.
45.  Cherry trees on the banks of the Sumida river.
46.  Work in the paddy fields at Oji.
47.  Wisteria in flower at Kameido Temple grounds, Honjo.
48.  Bamboo grove at Meguro
49.  Display of Peony flowers.
50.  Iris in flower at Horikiri.
51.  Display of Chrysanthemum flowers at Dangozaka.
52.  Private garden, Oji.
53.  Tea houses at Oji.
54.  View of Maple trees at Takinogawa, Oji.
55.  Scene at the sea-side of Omori, (collecting sea-weed).
56.  Tombs of the 47 Ronin (loyal retainers) at Takanawa.
57.  Effigies of the 47 Ronin or loyal retainers in Sengakuji temple Takanawa.
58.  Castle moat during lotus season.
59.  Gate and moat, castle grounds.
60.  The inner moat round the castle.

 

 

Common Characteristics of K. Ogawa's
"Types and Views" Series, 1892-1896

 

During the period from 1892 through 1896 Kazumasa Ogawa produced a series of photographic books with collotype plates which have several common characteristics. Because of these common characteristics, I call them the "Types and Views" series. This is not a series name that Ogawa used.

Individually, each of the books represent the work of a master photographer executing the results of his labor through a then state of the art high quality printing process. Considered as a series, these books form an amazing pictorial mosaic of Japanese life, customs, cultural treasures and scenic places, recorded as Japan emerged from relative isolation to the outside world and entered into the 20th century.

  • Size & Format. Large 4to/Small Folio (11 3/4 x 16 in - 30 x 40.5 cm) size in Western style horizontal format reading from front to back. Crepe paper books are smaller.

  • Covers and Bindings.

    • Front and back covers.

      The covers are made from a thick card stock type paper. On the outside they are lithographed in colors (gray/beige background with black, white, light and dark green and silver) with a repeating pattern of concentric overlapping half circles, stylized clouds with leaves inside and breaking waves in silver. The inside of the covers have a two color butterfly pattern.

       
      Variety Covers


      One book has been examined (Views of Tokyo, 1895) which is a variant from the norm. It is roughly 90% of the width and approximately 55% of the length (10 1/8 x 6 3/4 in - 25.5 x 17.4 cm) of the regular versions.

       

    • Double string ties. The covers have two double string type ties that are usually tied in a cross type pattern in the front. The crossed ties end in tassels. Occasionally the ties are not crossed in the front and these do not have a tassel.

    • Spines. Thicker books have a fabric type covering protecting the entire spine. On the thinner books there is sometimes a fabric strip (usually dark blue) covering approximately 2 1/2 inches at the head and foot of the spine. These spine covers are delicate and breakup easily and the norm is for them to be missing or badly deteriorated.

    • Title. The book title is lithographed in bamboo stylized lettering in a title box on the front cover which is framed by two silver lines. "K. Ogawa" is identified as the photographer, "Tokyo, Japan" is the location and the titles generally state "In Collotype & From Photographic Negatives Taken by Him." If the book has descriptive text, the author of that text is identified. Where not all the photographs were take by K. Ogawa it merely states "In Collotype." Some books were distributed by "Sole Agents" and that is stated along with the name and location of the agent.

  • Collotype Plates.

    • The plates were manufactured by the collotype process. This is a high quality mechanical process capable of creating sharp images with a wide variety of tones. For more information on the collotype printing process, click here.

    • Black and White versus Color Images. As a general rule the plates are printed in black and white. Occasionally they are hand colored. I am unaware of a book of this type where the plates were actually printed mechanically in color using a multi pass collotype process as you see in the Ogawa flower collotypes in the Brinkley books of 1897-1898. The few color plates found in this series of books are hand colored.

    • Descriptive Titles. Plates generally have a descriptive title in English placed at the foot of the image. In some cases the descriptive title is printed on the tissue guard protecting the plate and not on the plate. The descriptive titles on the plates were applied in a separate letter type printing process from the collotype process that created the actual image on the plate. On the back you often see the indentations where the title was impressed on the plate.

    • Paper Color and Thickness. The paper color of the collotype plates in this series is brown/tannish. The thickness is similar to a thin index card. While the paper is not limp, it bends very easily. Below is a relative color comparison of various papers found in this and other Ogawa collotype plates.

      1. Types and View books
      (1892-6)

      2. Landscape Gardening Supplement (1893)

      3. Sights and Scenes in Fair Japan (1910)

      4. Bright white paper for comparison

      Composite view

     

  • Collotype / Phototype. The titles generally state the plates are "In Collotype" but with some books the term "In Phototype" is used. Occasionally, the same book can be found (Celebrated Geysha of Tokyo, 12 plate version, for instance) where covers with either of the terms are found. In the context of Ogawa books "collotype" and "phototype" are synonymous. The term "phototype" is the French word for the collotype. The term was used primarily in Europe but collotype quickly became the preferred designation. I suppose it is possible that for books intended for export to Europe the title used the term phototype.

  • Colophons. Except in cases where a book had an author who wrote the descriptive text, colophons are generally not found with the books. However, I believe that most of the books were actually issued with Japanese language colophon slips inserted loose at the back of the book. The lack of these slips is what makes these books hard to date precisely. These colophon inserts are on thin paper and most of them probably became separated from the books over the years. I have seen one slip that was actually tipped to the inside back cover. Below is an example of a colophon insert slip.

    Costumes & Customs in Japan, Vol I and II

    Printed: Meiji 28(1895).6.21
    Distributed: Meiji 28(1895).6.25

    Books where there is an author who wrote the descriptive text generally have a Japanese language colophon printed on the inside back cover. Below is an example of this type of colophon.

    Sights and Scenes on The Tokaido

    Meiji 25(1892).5.11

  • Color Wooblock Inserts. Infrequently the larger format books (11 3/4 x 16 in - 30 x 40.5 cm) are found color woodblock inserts giving the title. These measure (12 x 15 3/4 in - 30.5 x 40 cm). They are placed in loose at the front of the volume. Since these inserts are wider than the book, they are folded on the right side 1 1/2 inches to fit under the covers. These inserts are printed on high quality paper. They are double fold with the paper sealed in the middle at the back. They bear a color woodblock image of a cherry tree in bloom. The name of the book is printed at the middle left. The inserts are found with and without the Kelly & Walsh imprint and address (No. 61, Main Street, Yokohama) and the statement "Sole Agents.". I have confirmed these inserts in editions of Japanese Life (Kelly Walsh imprint), and Customs and Costumes, Vol II (No Kelly Walsh imprint). It is my experience that these inserts are seldom found with the book. Below are examples of these inserts.


  • Crepe Paper Books. During the period from 1892~1918 Ogawa published a series of books all titled Illustrations of Japanese Life. There were four different books with the same title. These books were on crepe paper and contained color collotype plates. These books have covers patterned along the same lines as the standard types and views covers found on the non-crepe books. Below is a picture of a cover from one of these crepe paper books.

    For more information on these books, click here.

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