The Commodore Perry
Centennial Issue,
Okinawa, Volume II
Yamada, Shinzan:
The Commodore Perry Centennial Issue, Okinawa, Volume II, 1853-4, Commemorating 100 Years of Ryukyuan American Friendship, by Shinzan Yamada, Shuri, Okinawa, University of the Ryukyus Foundation, 1953, large 4to (10 1/4 x 13 3/4 in - 26 x 35 cm), 30 numbered pages (60 pages total if you count the backs which have printed text). Yellow cloth with a gold embossed front cover. This book is bound Japanese style with stiff cloth covered boards and ribbon ties. Except for a 2 inch cloth covering at the head and food, the spine is uncovered. The book was issued without a dust jacket. In this book the artist recreates people, places and religious and cultural beliefs as they were at the time of Commodore Perry's visit to Okinawa in 1853.
Mr. Yamada noted in the preface to the book:
The roaring of cannon outside the ports of Uraga and Naha has proved to have been the alarm bell that awakened people of isolated Japan and the Ryukyus from idle slumber. It is the responsibility of the present Ryukyuan people to regard the memory of Commodore Perry with respect and affection, for in so doing we are contributing to mutual friendship between the Ryukyus and United States of America, as well as to the cause of world piece.
This edition has a total of 30 (14 color & 16 black and white - duo tone) illustrations which are half-tone reproductions of Shinzan Yamada's art. Each picture is on a page and has descriptive text in English below the picture. On the back of the preceding page the descriptive text for the picture is in Japanese. When the book is open to a picture, you see the image on the right with the English descriptive text and the Japanese text on the left. In this, the second volume of a two book set, the illustrations are tipped (printed on separate paper that is glued to the page) to the pages. In the first volume of this set, they were printed directly on the page.
In this book, you sometimes find supplemental English and Japanese language descriptive text on rice paper inserts. I have seen inserts for the pictures listed at pages 12 (A Girl in Kasuri Dress), page 22 (The Tattoo - Hajichi), page 23 (The King's Crest) and page 26 (Dragon Ship - Haryusen).
This is the second of two books by Mr. Yamada. The first was titled Okinawa, Her Beauties and Traditions, No 1. For information on Volume I, click here.
Here is a listing of the pictures:
- Commodore Perry - black and white
- The Beautiful Island Opened Before Their Eyes - color
- The Islanders being Startled by the Great Ships - color
- Naha Port - color
- The Sending off of the Presents - color
- The Market in Naha - color
- Bazaar - color
- Preparation of the Vehicle - black/white
- The Visit to Shuri Castle - black/white
- The Landing at Tomari Port - black/white
- Exploration Party - color
- A Girl in Kasuri Dress - color
- Spinning Women - black/white
- The Parrot Fish - black/white
- Prayer for Peace - color
- Mortar - black/white
- Construction of Coal Depot - black/white
- Kroton - black/white
- Makiminato - black/white
- Old Regent - color
(Mabuni Anji)
- Okinawan Fishermen - black/white
- The Tattoo - black/white
- The King's Crest - color
- The Boy's Fishing - black/white
- Roofed Gate - black/white
- Dragon Ship - color
- The Buddhist Heaven - color
- The Buddhist Hell - color
- The God of Wind - black/white
- The God of Lightening - black/white
Colophon
Printed: 1953.11.20
Distributed: 1953.12.5
A Note Regarding "Typical" Condition. The covers of these books (Volume 1 and 2) are generally found faded and with water stains and similar damage. They are your typical "coffee table" book and more often than not show evidence of that type use. Also, it is normal for the front and back end papers to be heavily toned/foxed. In technical terms, I would say the average cover would grade "Good" and the contents "Very Good - Fine." In my opinion, a book that grades Fine (covers and content) would command a significant premium in pricing.
Rice Paper Insert Accompanying
A Girl in Kasuri Dress (at page 12)
Shinzan Yamada1885-1977
Mr. Yamada as Pictured in the Book (Vol. 1)
with Signatures in Japanese & English.
Mr. Yamada Signature (English) in Red Over His
Personal Han (Seal). The Han is Seldom Seen.
Mr. Shinzan Yamada was one of Okinawa's foremost artists. Mr. Yamada is probably best known for his 18 year labor to create a "Tsuikin" lacquer statue (12 meters high by 8 meters wide) as a peace memorial and tribute/honor toward those that died in World War II on Okinawa. Mr. Yamada began the project at the age of 72 and completed it when he was 90+ years old. The statue, known as "The Prayer for Peace Statue," is located in the Heiwa Memorial Hall on Mabuni Hill in southern Okinawa.
Scott 27-8 - Perry Centenary
Designed by Shinzan Yamada
Shinzan Yamada contributed many stamp designs for Ryukyu Islands stamps and postal cards. He is designed the following stamps/post cards:
- Scott C4-8, 1951-4, Heavenly Maiden, 2nd airmail series
- Scott 27-8, 1953, Perry Centenary commemorative set
- Scott C9-13, 1957, Heavenly Maiden Playing a Flute, 3rd airmail series
- Scott 55, 1958, Lion Dance, New Year stamp for 1959
- Scott C24-8, 1961, Wind God, 6th airmail series
- Scott 92, 1961, Sun & Eagles, New Year stamp for 1962
- Scott UX18, 1961, Coral, Summer Greetings Card for 1961
- Scott UX21, 1962, Ie Shima, Summer Greetings Card for 1962
- Scott UX26, 1964, Bitter Melon, Summer Greetings Card for 1964
Minoura Sera in his Ryukyus Handbook, Philatelic and History, 1962, noted that Shinzan Yamada opened a studio in Ginowan after WWII. I believe the photograph below by Blackie the Photographer shows that studio. Sera noted that Shinzan Yamada is considered the "elder statesman of Ryukyuan Art."
A photograph of Shinzan Yamada at work taken by Blackie the Photographer which was published in his (Blackie's) book This is Okinawa, ca 1954.
Another photograph of Shinzan Yamada and his studio by Blackie the Photographer which was published in his (Blackie's) book Pictures of Okinawa, ca 1953.
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