Tongue Cut Sparrow [Shitakiri Suzume [舌切り雀]] - Japanese Fairy Tale Series No. 2

Item #90921

Tongue Cut Sparrow [Shitakiri Suzume [舌切り雀]] - Japanese Fairy Tale Series No. 2.

David Thompson, translator ダビッド タムソン.

Kōbunsha 弧文社.

[Tokyo].

Meiji 19 [1886].

15 x 10cm small, crepe paper book, opens Western style. Perfect-bound with holes for sewing. Colophon on inside front wrapper. [10] cho with a final illustration on the inside rear wrapper; the first few cho are numbered. This volume was re-published by the Hasegawa family in Meiji 19 [1886] when they were known as Kōbunsha, working from the address in Minami Saegichō 南佐柄木町 Tokyo, their first address.

A tiny sparrow is treated cruelly by a neighbor and when the bird’s owners go searching for it, their journey and the ensuing trip by the greedy neighbor, results in a tale of jealousy, kindness, greed and generosity in humans and human-like birds. Colored woodcut illustrations throughout with English text.

Cover and first few cho are separated at top of binding.. Some wear to wrappers. A few spots of toning to pages. Strong printing and color.

Price: $150.00