[KAWAURA, KEN-ICHI]

Album of Old Japanese Prints of the Ukiyo-ye School. Reproduced from the Collection of Ken-ichi Kawaura. Tokyo, Yoshizawa & Co, 1919.

. Folio. Pp. (iv), 6 "list of plates", 120 pages with 425 b/w illustrations, six wood engraved plates (five coloured) + pp. 15 "Biographical notes", one page with Japanese colophon. Original decorated silk-covered boards, title label on upper cover, silk ties. First edition, number 92 of 150 copies. Old ownership signature on title. An impressive collection with faithful reproductions of beautiful prints by many celebrated artists. Some minor staining but overall a very handsome copy.

Charlotte Du Rietz Rare BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 120643

Catalogue: East Asia

Keywords: East Asia, japan, japon, japanese, asia, asie, asien, asiatic, ukiyo-e, woodcuts, illustrated,

[TALE OF GENJI - CRæPE PAPER ALBUM]

An album featuring a selection of thirty illustrations of Toyokuni III's Genji series "Faithful Depictions of the Shining Prince". Nihon Bashi (Tokyo), Fukuda Hatsujiro (Gusokuya), 1897.

. Leporello folded album with thirty beautiful colour woodcut prints on crêpe paper. Size: 22.4 x 17.3 cm. The images have printed captions and numbers in Japanese. Contemporary silk-covered boards, rubbed, title label on upper cover. The "Tale of Genji" is the famous Japanese novel written in the early eleventh century by the court lady Murasaki Shikibu. The story of the fictional Prince Genji captures the aesthetics, intrigue and customs of court life at the time. It has served as an inexhaustible source of inspiration for visual artists throughout the ages. An album with thirty illustrations taken from Kunisada Utagawa (Toyokuni III) publication "Faithful Depictions of the Shining Prince" in 1849-53 (which has fifty-four illustrations). Lavishly printed with views of court life and travels in different seasons set in typically luxurious settings and in beautiful gardens with a wonderful attention to detail. (flowering trees, autumn maples, ponds, birds, fine textiles, extravagant interiors, peeking into views, etc.).Gusokuya was a well-respected family business that published woodblock prints, especially ukiyo-e, in Tokyo during the Meji period. 

Charlotte Du Rietz Rare BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 121525

Catalogue: East Asia

Keywords: East Asia, japan, japon, japanese, genji, crepe, illustrated, asia, sie, asien, asiatic,

[JAPAN - SCHOOLBOOK].

Anec-Dote. A Book of Lessons for the Use of Schools. Published by Permission of the School Kaiseijo. Second edition. Numadz, Itiro W.N. & Co., Meiji 4th (1871).

. Small 8vo. (ii), 42. Text in English. With Japanese title and Japanese list of content printed on pastedowns. Sewn as issued in original wrappers, printed title label on front cover, stained, internally fine. With some red chop stamps. Comprises short essays about Columbus' discoveries of America; Peter the Great; Isaac Newton; the astronomer James Ferguson; and the French Revolution. At this time the school of Kaiseijo was the main institution of Western learning sponsored by the shogunate. Seems scarce.

Charlotte Du Rietz Rare BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 121083

Catalogue: East Asia

Keywords: East Asia, japan, japon, japnese, asia, asie, asien, asiatic, language, linguistic, langue, schoolbook, literature,

[HAKUBOTAN].

The Catalogue Hakubotan Principal Store. Tokyo (Kyobashi) ca 1910.

. Pp. 48. Japanese text. Richly illustrated. With a photo of the store and its owner. Original coloured decorated wrappers with a white peony (Hakubotan) on upper cover, lightly stained. An interesting catalogue presenting the company's products including hairpins, combs, jewellery, etc.

Charlotte Du Rietz Rare BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 120913

Catalogue: East Asia

Keywords: East Asia, japan, japon, japanese, asia, asie, asien, asiatic, trade, commerce,

[KABUKI].

[A collection of ten original post card photographs of Kabuki theatre actors]. Kabukiza 1928.

. A set of ten original postcard size photographs (14 x 9 cm). Each inscribed on verso in ink with name of the actor, his role and the title of the drama in which he is pictured in costume, and dated. Kabuki-za was the famous 19th century Ginza theatre rebuilt in 1924 after the big earthquake and finally demolished in 2010. Actors included are: Sadanji, Genjiro and Fukusuke Nakamura; Mitsugoro Bando; Utaeyemon [Uzaemon] and Shimbashi Embujo. Kept in original printed envelope from the fashionable department store of the 1920's, Kamigata Ya in Ginza, Tokyo. Rare to find Kabuki actor photographs which are identified and dated like this set.

Charlotte Du Rietz Rare BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 100348

Catalogue: East Asia

Keywords: East Asia, japan, japon, japanese, asia, asie, asien, asiatic, travel, exploration, illustrated, photographs, kabuki, theatre, theater,

[CHITOSE-ZA THEATRE].

[A coloured moveable copper engraved plate]. Tokyo (Nihonbashi), Fukuda Eizo, 1884.

. Comprises a two-page print (50.5 x 36.8 cm) with one upper part depicting the exterior of the Chitose-za Theatre and a lower part showing its interior. Printed in bold and bright colours. One small hole in the upper right area and one small stain on the reverse side in the middle, otherwise in very good condition. The Chitose-za Theatre in the district of Hisamatsu-ch› in Tokyo was first opened in 1873 as the Kisho-za Theatre, renamed in 1885 when Kato Ichitaro saved the theatre from bankruptcy. It burned down in 1890 but has been rebuilt more than once over the years. Since 1893 it has been known as the Meiji-za Theatre which still holds kabuki and other performances.

Charlotte Du Rietz Rare BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 120762

Catalogue: East Asia

Keywords: East Asia, japan, japon, japanese, asia, asien, asie, asiatic, theatre, theater, teater, acting, kabuki, illustrated, ephemera,

[NONOMURA, CHUBE / OGATA, KÍRIN]:

Ehon K›rin (K›rin Patterns). Three volumes (complete). Ky›to, Suma Kanbe, early 19th century (ca 1800-30).

. An album (24.3 x 17.7 cm) containing 95 b/w woodblock-printed designs of plants and animals in the "K›rin style". Lvs 16; 16; 17, double folded in the Japanese fashion. Includes two prefaces and one colophon. Ex-ownership red stamps. Text in Japanese. Original wrappers, with some minor wear, printed paper labels on covers. Housed in cloth slipcase. We believe this sketch book is a reproduction of a work titled "K›rin Ehon Michi Shirube" by the artist Nonomura Chube published in 1735. Nonomura issued several design manuals (edehon) influenced by the Rinpa school master Ogata K›rin (1658-1716). The Rinpa is a style within Japanese art based on nature which was developed during the 17th century. The typical K›rin patterns are characterised by simplified forms with prominent and smooth outlines. A well-preserved album with charming designs of animals, insects, flowers and plants.

Charlotte Du Rietz Rare BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 121081

Catalogue: East Asia

Keywords: East Asia, japan, japon, japanese, asia, asie, asien, asiatic, illustrated, woodblock, designs, patterns, manual, rinpa,

[JAPANESE TEXTILE COTTON SAMPLES].

[Eight booklets with samples of Nishijin cotton flannel, etc.]. Kyoto, Osaka and Wakayama, 1908-1917.

. A collection of eight catalogues with flannel swatches including six issued by the Kikusuiban in the traditional Nishijin district of Kyoto, one by Takasaki in Osaka and one by Wakayama Weaving Co. Leporello bindings with samples pasted on paper, the number in each catalogue varies from thirty to forty-two pieces. (Some samples are partly cut, presumably to give customers a sample). The upper covers are decorated and printed in colours. Some of them are rubbed, a few with some staining, one with loose cover. An interesting collection of traditional Japanese flannel produced about 100 years ago.

Charlotte Du Rietz Rare BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 120761

Catalogue: East Asia

Keywords: East Asia, japan, japon, japanses, asia, asie, asien, asiatic, samples, textiles, flannel, trade, sales catalogue,

[PHRASE BOOK FOR TRADERS].

An English Chinese and Japanese Conversation. Nichi-kan-ei gogen goheki. Tokyo, Yamada Tashiro, Taisho 4, 1915.

. Oblong 8vo. Size: 13 x 19 cm. Pp. (viii), viii, 195, (1) blank, (1). Characters written in three columns, also including phonetics. Contemporary half cloth on marbled paper boards, title lettered in gilt on spine, somewhat rubbed. Inscriptions to front free endpaper and some annotations in the text. Later edition (first 1888). The first part consists of a vocabulary arranged by subject. The second part contains conversations to help visitors and traders in different situations. Scarce. Only one copy of a 1906 edition recorded in OCLC.

Charlotte Du Rietz Rare BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 120028

Catalogue: East Asia

Keywords: East Asia, japan, china, japanese, chinese, japon, chine, asia, asie, asiatic, vocabulary, language, langue, lingusitic, commerce, trade,

[JAPAN MAP].

Guide Map of Nikkosan. Nikko, Taguchi Tobei, 1884.

. Early lithographic map of Nikkosan Rinnoji Temple area, printed in black and white. Size: 50 x 73 cm. Folded and housed in the original printed wrappers, slightly worn and with traces of adhesive tape on the back. The map features the big temple area, originally known as Shihonryuji Temple founded 1200 years ago. With captions in Japanese. Surrounded by small pictures of important sights and charts with different kinds of transportation from Tokyo and Yokohama, with text in English and Japanese. A key was published in 1886 and is not present here.

Charlotte Du Rietz Rare BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 121090

Catalogue: East Asia

Keywords: East Asia, japan, japon, japanese, asia, asie, asien, asiatic, map, travel, exploration,

[JAPAN - KITAMURAYA HOTEL, ISE].

[A hand-coloured steel engraved plate of Kitamuraya Hotel, Ise]. Nagoya, Nakachu Koin, ca 1895.

. Hand-coloured engraved print of Kitamuraya Hotel in Ise. (39.5 x 27 cm). With two cartouches with the hotel name in English and Japanese respectively. Outer edges with some minor chipping, some general age wear, creases, a few old repairs to the rear. Ise is a city located in Mie prefecture on the island of Honshu. The Ise Grand Shrine is the most sacred shrine in Japan and during the Edo period Ise was a popular destination for pilgrimages.

Charlotte Du Rietz Rare BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 120763

Catalogue: East Asia

Keywords: East Asia, japan, japon, japanese, asia, asie, asien, asiatic, hotel, travel, exploration, colour engraving, illustration,

[JAPANESE FEATHERS FROM EDO-PERIOD].

[Hand-painted manuscript scroll of different types of feather (or fletching) used in the traditional Japanese arrow making]. About mid or late 18th century.

. A very long scroll (478 x 22.2 cm) with 74 illustrations of feathers, hand-painted in black, grey and white ink on thin paper. The feathers are illustrated with stripes and dots in lots of different variations. An illustration of a falcon appears at the beginning of the scroll. Some small wormholes throughout, not affecting the illustrations. One small hole at beginning and one line of text (probably a name) has been cut out at the start of the scroll, and paper has been restored. Later re-binding with some wear, housed in a modern box. Japanese arrows (Ya) are considerably longer than Western arrows. Traditionally, the shafts were made of a special kind of bamboo and fletched with feathers of larger birds of prey, like hawks or sea eagles. The feathers or fletchings (hane) are one of the most important components of an arrow, giving it stability in flight. There are two main classifications of Japanese arrows; haya and otoya. The first kind was made from feathers from the left wing and would rotate clockwise and the other type was made from the right wing and would spiral counter-clockwise. An unsophisticated but charming piece of artwork.

Charlotte Du Rietz Rare BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 120945

Catalogue: East Asia

Keywords: East Asia, feather, fletching, arrow-making, arrow, illustrated, manuscript, japan, japanese, japon, asia, asie, asiatic, asien,

[JAPANESE MEN KIMONO SAMPLES].

"Iwa no Tamotsu". [A manual with 110 stylish textile samples]. No date, ca 1930.

. A large size manual (36 x 25.5 cm). Contains 110 samples, of varies sizes, mounted on heavy paper. Twenty-two leaves bound in fukuro-toji style. Contemporary boards, gold speckled, some discolouration on upper cover, title painted in blue on upper cover.A handsome manual with sophisticated textile samples for male kimonos. The patterns are mainly traditional geometric but there are also some with figurative and floral designs. The colours are discreet, mainly blue, black and various red tones, some with silver elements. We don't know who it belonged to but probably a refined tailor's shop. Due to the numbering (111 to 220), we assume that this is a manual out of several.

Charlotte Du Rietz Rare BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 121171

Catalogue: East Asia

Keywords: East Asia, japan, japon, japanese, textile, kimono, fabrics, samples, asia, asie, asien, asiatic, clothes,

[CHIKAWA DANJURO VII - KABUKI].

The Kabuki Juhachiban, or Eighteen Best Kabuki Plays. Tokyo (?) 1917.

. Accordion-bound book. Size: 24.1 x 21.6 cm. Title and content in Japanese. With 19 colour woodblock-printed illustrations of different kabuki actors. Pasted on sprinkled paper. Silk covered boards, printed title paper label on front cover. Housed in cloth folder.Comprises eighteen famous kabuki plays selected by Ichikawa Danjuro VII (1791-1859): Yanone, Nanatsumen, Gedatsu, Ja-Yanagi, Kamahige, Kagekiyo, Sukeroku, Uiro, Kanu, Fudo, Narukami, Zouhiki, Uwanari, Oshimodoshi, Kenuki, Shibaraku, Fuwa and Kanjincho. Several major Kabuki families made their own groups of "Eighteen Favourites" but no one managed to maintain a lasting fame as Danjuro VII's selection. Rare.

Charlotte Du Rietz Rare BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 121144

Catalogue: East Asia

Keywords: East Asia, kabuki, theater, theatre, play, japan, japon, japanese, illustrated, masks, asia, asie, asien, asiatic,

[BECKER, JOSEPH ERNEST DE]:

The Nightless City, or the "History of the Yoshiwara Yukwaku". Shanghai, Yokohama, Bremen: Max Nössler & London, Probstain, [1905-6].

. Large 8vo. Pp. xvi, 386, (1). With two folding maps of old and new Yoshiwara, 19 colour plates and 25 black and white fullpage plates. Numerous illustrations throughout the text. Publisher's pictorial blue cloth, stamped in gilt and black, spine faded. Fourth revised edition of this informative work about the Yoshiwara district of Tokyo. Not in Cordier. Nipponalia 1067. Wenckstern ii, 341.

Charlotte Du Rietz Rare BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 100754

Catalogue: East Asia

Keywords: East Asia, japan, japanese, japon, geisha, travel, exploration, asia, asie, asien, asiatic, far east, geisha,