L.R.404.k.10

Imprint: J. B. Millet, Boston [1897-1898].

Half-leather folio volume, maroon buckram boards, with coat of arms in gilt on front cover, measuring 415 x 340 mm, pp. v, 382. The work was issued in 15 'sections,' each part containing, in addition to an essay on Japanese history or culture, a coloured collotype flower study frontispiece by Kazuma Ogawa and two hand-coloured albumen prints of Japanese subjects by unidentified photographers. In his introduction to the work, Arthur J. Mundy writes that he had just returned from spending six months in Japan arranging for the publication of the book, which was designed to present a Japanese account of the country for western readers, the authors being selected by Brinkley, 'the publisher of the 'Japan Mail,' whose residence of thirty years in Japan and intimate relations with the people have enabled him to secure the co-operation of many of the most distinguished Japanese writers.' Furthermore, 'so far as the illustrations are concerned they are the handiwork of Japanese artists aided by Japanese photographers ... In order that the publication may express exclusively Japanese ideas, the publishers have imported all the material needed for illustrating the work. The initial letters and tail-pieces are reproduced from special designs furnished by the Imperial Art School at Tokyo. The Collotype prints of Japanese flowers are made in Tokyo by K. Ogawa. The decorative designs by Japanese artists have been carefully selected from a large collection and are fine examples of their mastery of color effects, form and proportion of design. The photograph are all made and colored by hand in Japan, over three hundred and fifty native artists having been specially engaged for this purpose ...'