NORITANE, Ninagawa. - [Kanko Zusetsu]. Kwan Ko Dzu Setsu. Notice historique et descriptive sur les arts et industries Japonais ... art ceramique.

Tokyo 1876-77. Five volumes oblong folio wrappers, 27x39cm, with printed labels; between 5 and 11 leaves of Japanese text in each and 90 handcoloured litho plates (actually 89 - there are 18 in each part but 15a in the first is a half plate in monochrome). With the five booklets (approx 27x24cm with small variations) containing the French text published in Tokyo 1876-78. A bit of nibbling to the first folio label and a small stain which touches the margins of the introductory text leaves but vanishes by the first plate; a rather good set in the publisher's portfolio (this worn but solid). ¶ A most appealing hybrid, this records Japanese pottery apparently in chronological order from ancient times on, illustrated with quite exquisite lithography and produced with a foreign audience in mind. Noritane was a founder of the Tokyo Museum and apparently taught Edward S. Morse everything Morse knew about Japanese ceramics. Noritane did plan to extend this series - plates had been prepared for a section on roofing tiles and another on armour - but his death in 1882 put an end to it. Most of the items illustrated here ended up in the Morse collection. In the end I wonder if this is the most elaborate trade catalogue of 19th century Japan. Nothing sells art like a sumptuous monograph to wield as reference and a banner of importance.

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