Utamaro, by Yone Noguchi, Elkin Mathews, London, 1925, One of 450 copies for sale in Europe. Printed in Japan.
Kitagawa Utamaro (c.1753-1806) was one of the great masters of Japanese ukiyo-e, celebrated particularly for his elegant and psychologically subtle portraits of women. His distinctive close-up compositions, graceful figures and sensitive observation of fashionable life in Edo had an enormous influence both within Japan and, during the later nineteenth century, upon the European enthusiasm for Japanese art. In this study, the Japanese poet and critic Yone Noguchi (1875-1947) examines Utamaro's life and artistic achievement, illustrating his discussion with reproductions drawn from a range of the artist's work. Particularly attractive as a Japanese-produced book intended for the Western market, the volume combines English text with collotype reproductions and colour woodblock printing, presented in a format consciously recalling traditional Japanese bookmaking.
The publication itself has an unusual history. Noguchi records that the entire intended first edition was destroyed at the binder's shop in the fires which followed the devastating Great Kantō earthquake of 1 September 1923. He consequently describes this replacement as the "second edition, though it is the first to be actually published", with a number of different illustrations substituted because works originally selected for reproduction had also been lost.
Utamaro, by Yone Noguchi, with 19 Collotypes and 4 Wood Blocks in Colour.
Published by Elkin Mathews, London, 1925. One of 450 copies stated to be "for sale in Europe". Printed in Japan and presented in a Japanese-style sewn binding within the original silk-covered folding portfolio, secured by two bone toggles.
Comprising a folding portfolio of green silk - now faded to brown in places, and with the cover and spine featuring printed labels. The portfolio is sealed with silk ties holding bone clasps. Inside is a thread-sewn book with printed card covers, and natural fibre papers - possibly mulberry - for the printed text, and a smoother stock for the printed collotype images. The colour plates are tipped on to a heavier natural fibre paper, with printed tissue guards.
Overall in good condition. Some sun faded area to the outer folder and cloth is worn to extremities. The book itself is very good with bright, clean images, but is missing the colour frontispiece image.
Text in English.
Book contents: Prelims + 35pp text + 2 colour woodblocks with captioned tissue guards + 1 captioned tissue guard (missing frontispiece woodblock) + 1 double page woodblock + XIV numbered Plates (one of which is actually one of the coloured Woodblocks) + 6 Additional Collotypes.
Approximate dimensions: 253mm high x 195mm wide x 17mm deep.
Weight: approximately 358g (unpacked).