Item #88988 Omocha Gafu おもちゃ画譜, 10 vols. artist Kawasaki Kyosen 川崎巨泉.
Omocha Gafu おもちゃ画譜, 10 vols.
Omocha Gafu おもちゃ画譜, 10 vols.
Omocha Gafu おもちゃ画譜, 10 vols.
Omocha Gafu おもちゃ画譜, 10 vols.
Omocha Gafu おもちゃ画譜, 10 vols.
Omocha Gafu おもちゃ画譜, 10 vols.
Omocha Gafu おもちゃ画譜, 10 vols.
Omocha Gafu おもちゃ画譜, 10 vols.
Omocha Gafu おもちゃ画譜, 10 vols.
Omocha Gafu おもちゃ画譜, 10 vols.
Omocha Gafu おもちゃ画譜, 10 vols.
Omocha Gafu おもちゃ画譜, 10 vols.

Omocha Gafu おもちゃ画譜, 10 vols.

1935. Item #88988

Kawasaki Kyosen 川崎巨泉. Omocha Gafu おもちゃ画譜. 10 vols. Osaka, Shōwa 7-10 [1932-5]. 10 volumes 23.6 x 16.5 cm with printed paper title labels are string-bound Japanese-style, fukuro-toji in decorated wrappers with a wraparound illustration. Vols 4-10 have a numbered label laid down on the front cover. A laid-in, folded sheet that opens to 18 x 39cm has a black and white illustration of a humorous creature, Japanese text and colophon as well as a tipped-in sheet 12 x 7cm with the numbered labels for Vol 1-3 printed in color. Also laid in is a pink sheet with a New Year's greeting in Japanese text dated Showa 8 [1933].

Complete set of this illustrated guide to Japanese playthings. The overall format of each volume is a title page, introductory text, table of contents, explanation of the color woodcuts, color woodcuts, and b+w woodcuts with text for a total of 50 pps, followed by a colophon and final page of text. Each 23.6 x 16.5 cm volume has 4 full page color woodblock-printed plates and one folding double-size woodblock print (in color or b+w), hence 50 in all. The scholarly text in Japanese is heavily illustrated in black and white and explains background history, physical description and place of origin of the toys. Toys illustrated in color include dolls and animals, while toys in b+w include tops, puppets, paddle games, whistles, bells, yoyos, ships, sumo wrestlers and many other playthings, both universal and unique to Japan.

Wonderful set; quite informative and of artistic and historical importance. The 10 volumes are in fine condition in a modern, navy chitsu with clasps. Very unusual.

Price: $3,250.00