Publications by Takejiro Hasegawa including Kobunsha's Japanese Fairy Tales, Crepe and Plain Paper Books

Takejiro Hasegawa/Kobunsha Publications
"Chirimen-bon" (Crepe Paper Books)
And Plain Paper Books

Buying. We are actively buying the Hasegawa/Kobunsha color woodblock print books. If you have material to sell, please contact us. All the books below, and any others, are of interest. A more detailed listing of our buying interest is here.
Selling. If we have a book in stock, a link to the offering is provided.

Takejiro Hasegawa (1853-1938) had a long association with Western missionaries and Westerners in Tokyo. It is through this association that he started printing woodblock illustrated books in the Western languages. Initially Hasegawa's books were published under the "Kobunsha" imprint (Minami Saegi-cho and Maruya-cho, Kyobashi-ku, Tokyo) but in the 1889-1890 period the name was changed to T. Hasegawa (Hasegawa & Co.) and a number of addresses appear over the years. Books are found that were published ca 1928 which bear the imprint of "T. Hasegawa & Son, Publishers & Art Printers" or "T. Hasegawa & Son" with the 17 Kami Negishi, Tokyo address. On Hasegawa's death in 1939 (but perhaps as early as 1917/18) the firm operated under the name of Hasegawa and Nishinomiya, and subsequently Nishinomiya and Hasegawa.

According to Frederic A. Sharf, Hasegawa's first publication was a black and white woodblock book of Hokusai's masterpieces and that was followed by a two volume set titled Writings of Buddha which was copyrighted with the Kobunsha imprint in November of 1884. It was the next year that he launched his now famous Fairy Tale Series. It appears that most of Hasegawa's books were produced in limited amounts, generally four to five hundred at a run. Hasegawa's business also produced post cards, pictorial reproductions of art (Ukiyo-e Masterpieces), calendars, albums of prints, menus and individual prints. The focus of the Hasegawa enterprise from 1885 though the mid-1920s was the color woodblock illustrated book and calendars. During the 1920s the focus began to move toward color woodblock prints, individually or in sets. Sometimes called Hasegawa Publishing Co., Nishinomiya marketed and extensive inventory of "Japanese Colour Prints, Reproductions of the Old Masterpieces, Hand-painted from Coloured Woodcuts." Under the Nishinomiya name, Hasegawa marketed a famous "Night Scene" series of prints. The Nishinomiya firm continued to market a variety of the existing Hasegawa books, often in sets and mostly the crepe paper versions. Nishinomiya also reprinted some of the Fairy Tale Series (No 10, The Matsuyama Mirror confirmed).

Hasegawa used the printing services of the Tokyo Tsukiji Type Foundry for some of his books.

In addition to the color woodblock books, Kobunsha also printed black and white illustrated books aimed at the Japanese market. A series known as the The Kobunsha Language Series was produced for the Japanese market. In about 1887 Kobunsha produced an illustrated (black and white) educational children's' textbook for the American company of Charles J. Barnes.

A listing of T. Hasegawa publications published in 1906 is here. A more extensive, but undated, listing is posted here (external web page).

Kobunsha/Hasegawa
Japanese Fairy Tale Series

Japanese Fairy Tale Series

The Kobunsha/Hasegawa Fairy Tale books are:

First (Original) Series
No 1. Little Peachling (18 pp & 22 pp)

           1st Edition, 1885, Plain Paper - Momotaro (Type A Cover)

           2nd Edition, 1886, Plain Paper - Momotaro (Type A2 Cover)

           2nd Edition, Later Printing, c1887, Plain Paper - Momotaro (Type A2 Cover)

           c1911 Hasegawa Reprint - Little Peachling (22 pp)

No 2. Tongue-Cut Sparrow (22 pp)

           1st Edition, 1885, First Printing, String Ties, Plain Paper - Shitakiri Suzume (Type A Cover)

           1st Edition, 1886, Second Printing, Stab Ties, Plain Paper - Shitakiri Suzume (Type A Cover)

           2nd Edition, 1886, Stab Ties, Plain Paper - Tongue Cut Sparrow (Type B Cover)

           c1898 Hasegawa Reprint - Tongue-Cut Sparrow

           c1911 Hasegawa Reprint - Tongue-Cut Sparrow

No 3. Battle of the Monkey and the Crab (18 pp)

           1st Edition, 1885, Plain Paper - Saru-Kani Kassen (Type A Cover)

           2nd Edition, 1886, Plain Paper, - Battle of the Monkey & Crab (Type B Cover)

           2nd Edition, c1895, Crepe Paper, - Battle of the Monkey & Crab (Type B Cover)

           1886 Griffith Farran & Co. Printing - Battle of the Monkey & Crab

           c1911 Hasegawa Reprint - Battle of the Monkey & Crab

No 4. The Old Man Who Made the Dead Trees Blossom (18 pp)

           1st Edition, 1885, Plain Paper - Hanasaki Jiji (Type A & A1 Covers)

           1st Edition, 1885, Plain Paper - Old Man Who Made Dead Trees Blossom
            (Type B Cover)

           c1911 Hasegawa Reprint - Old Man Who Made Dead Trees Blossom

No 5. Kachi-Kachi Mountain (28 pp & 22 pp)

           1st Edition, 1885, Plain Paper - Kachi-Kachi Yama (Type A Cover)

           c1888 Hasegawa Crepe Reprint - Kachi-Kachi Yama (Type B Cover)

           c1898 Hasegawa Crepe Reprint - Kachi-Kachi Mountain (22 pp)

No 6. The Mouse's Wedding (24 pp & 22 pp)

           1st Edition, 1885, Plain Paper - Nedzumi no Yomeiri (Type A Cover)

           1st Edition, Later Printing, c1886, Plain Paper - Nedzumi no Yomeiri (Type A2 Cover)

           1st Edition, Later Printing, c1886, Plain Paper - Mouse's Wedding (Type B Cover)

           c1911 Reprint - Mouse's Wedding (22 pp)

         (First editions (English) of No. 1 ~ No. 6 completed 1885)
         (No. 1 ~ No. 6 in black and white only with brown covers completed 1885)

No 7. The Old Man and the Devils (22 pp)
           c1898 Reprint Old Man and the Devils

No 8. Urashima, The Fisher-Boy (28 pp)

           1st Edition, 1886, Plain Paper - Urashima (Type A1 Cover)

           c1917 Reprint - Urashima, The Fisher-Boy

No 9. The Serpent With Eight Heads (28 pp)

           1st Edition, 1886, Plain Paper - Yamata No Orochi (Type A1 Cover)

           1st Edition, Later Printing, c1886, Plain Paper - Serpent With Eight Heads (Type B Cover)

           c1904 & c1920 Reprints Eight Head Serpent

No 10. The Matsuyama Mirror (22 pp)

           1st Edition, 1886, Plain Paper - Matsuyama Kagami (Type A1 Cover)

           1st Edition, Later Printing, c1886, Plain Paper - Matsuyama Mirror (Type B Cover)

           c1902 Reprint - The Matsuyama Mirror

No 11. The Hare of Inaba (18 pp)
           1st Edition, 1886, Plain Paper - Inaba No Shirousagi (Type A1 Cover)

           1st Edition, Later Printing, 1886, Plain Paper - The Hare of Inaba (Type B Cover)

           c1898 Reprint - The Hare of Inaba

No 12. The Cub's Triumph (26 pp)

           1st Edition, 1886, Plain Paper - Kitsune no Tegara (Type A1 Cover)

           1st Edition, Later Printing, c1886, Plain Paper - Cub's Triumph (Type B Cover)

           c1898 Reprint - The Cub's Triumph

    (First editions (English) of No. 7 ~ No. 12 completed 1886)

No 13. The Silly Jelly-Fish (22 pp)
           1st Edition, 1887, Plain Paper - The Silly Jelly-Fish (Type B Cover)

           c1898 Reprint - The Silly Jelly-Fish

No 14. The Princes Fire-Flash and Fire-Fade (28 pp)

           1st Edition, 1887, Plain Paper - Princes Fire-Flash & Fire-Fade (Type B Cover)
           (Types 1 & 2 Illustrations)

           c1898 Reprint - Princes Fire-Flash & Fire-Fade

           1917 Reprint - Princes Fire-Flash & Fire-Fade

No 15. My Lord Bag-O'Rice (22 pp)
           1st Edition, 1887, Plain Paper My Lord Bag-O Rice (Type B Cover)

No 16. The Wooden Bowl (28 pp)
           1st Edition, 1887, Plain Paper - The Wooden Bowl (Type B Cover)

    (First editions (English) of No. 13 ~ No. 16 completed 1887)

No 16. The Wonderful Tea-Kettle (28 pp, 1896 substitution for above)
           c1922 Reprint - Wonderful Tea Kettle

No 17. Schippeitaro (26 pp)
           1st Edition, 1887, Plain Paper - Schippetaro (Type A1 Cover)

           c1902 Reprint - Schippeitaro

No 18. The Ogre's Arm (26 pp, translated by T.H. James)
           1st Edition, 1889, Plain Paper - The Ogre's Arm (Type A1 Cover)

           c1922 Reprint - Ogre's Arm

    First editions (English) of No. 17 ~ No. 18 completed 1888~9)

No 19. The Ogres of Oyeyama (32 pp, translated by T.H. James)
           c1922 Reprint - Ogres of Oyeyama

No 20. The Enchanted Waterfall (22 pp, translated by T.H. James)
           c1922 Reprint - Enchanted Waterfall

    First editions (English) of No. 19 ~ No. 20 completed 1891~2.

Nos 1-20. Complete Set, Spanish Language (462 pp)
           Nos 1-20 1914

Nos 1-20. Complete Set (474 pp)
           Nos 1-20 c1922 Reprint Set

Nos 3//16. Printing for Griffith, Farran & Co.
           Nos 3-16 c1888 Partial Set

No 21. Three Reflections, Meiji 27 (1894), 13 x 17 cm (26 pp, translated by T.H. James)

No 22. The Flowers of Remembrance and Forgetfulness (22 pp, translated by T.H. James)

No 23. The Boy Who Drew Cats (24 pp, translated by L. Hearn, very large format in plain paper & large format in crepe paper, both published 1898)
           1898 Crepe Paper - Boy Who Drew Cats

           c1911 Reprint - Boy Who Drew Cats

No 24. The Old Woman Who Lost Her Dumpling (24 pp), translated by L. Hearn
           c1902 Old Woman Who Lost Her Dumpling

No 25. Chin Chin Kobakama (24 pp, translated by L. Hearn, very large format in plain paper & large format in crepe paper, both published 1903, 15 editions published through 1925)
           1903 & c1911 Reprint Chin Chin Kobakama

    First editions (English) of No. 21 ~ No. 25 completed 1894~1903.
"Extra No." of the Japanese Fairy Tale Series (no number assigned).
Princess Splendor, The Wood-cutter's Daughter. 1st & 2nd Editions, plain paper and crepe, 1889 & 1895.

Note. The first editions of Nos. 1-6 are on plain paper and were printed on August 17~18, 1885 (Meiji 18) and distributed shortly thereafter. Other plain paper and crepe paper editions followed over the years.

Second Series
No 1. The Goblin Spider (22 pp, translated by L. Hearn), large format on plain paper & small format on crepe paper, both 1899, and two more editions, 1899 (2nd) and 1926 (3rd). For information on the crepe version, click here. In the White Aster, this book is incorrectly listed as No. 23 in the first series.
          c1910 Reprint Goblin Spider

No 2. The Wonderful Mallet, 1899, (30 pp, translated by T.H. James)

No 3. The Broken Images, 1903, (translated by T.H. James)

    First editions, (English) of Nos. 1 - 3, Second Series, completed 1899~1903.

Special Printings for Griffith, Farran & Company, London

Fairy Tales 1-16 were printed by Hasegawa specially for Griffith, Farran & Company, London. These carry that companies imprint at the bottom of the front cover. They also carry the Kobunsha, Tokyo, imprint internally. These books were produced in the period from 1887-1889 (2 Minami Segicho address) and you often see the year 1890 associated with them. You find these book individually and bound, generally in units of 4 books per bound volume. Information on 11 different books of this special printing is here.

Consolidated Sets, 1st Series, Bound in Volumes

Volume I.    No 1-6, 1886, plain paper, cardboard covers 
Volume II.   No 7-13, 1887, plain paper, cardboard covers 
Volume III.  No 13-18, 1889, plain paper, cardboard covers

These three volume consolidated sets are bound together with very sturdy Kangxi binding format (see below). They all are on plain paper and the the top and bottom covers are much thicker than the paper used for the books inside. The front covers are nicely illustrated with color woodblocks. Volumes I & II carry the 2 Minami Saegicho address and date to ca 1887. Volume III carries the 3 Maruya-cho address which dates the volume from mid-1889 to late-1890. The three volumes in this set are discussed and recorded by Sharf (at pages 16 & 63).

Sets of the First Japanese Fairy Tale Series

While the exact day is not clear, in a catalogue with the 17 Kami Negishi address (1911 or later), Hasegawa marketed the complete English language Japanese Fairy Tale Series (Nos. 1-20). These were described as 4 x 6 in on crepe paper and sold for $12.00 (delivered). I have examined one of these sets and all books except one carried the Kami Negishi address. No 17 carried the 38 Yotsuya Honmura address. While many of the books carried the dates of earlier printings, as is common on Hasegawa colophons, several also included Taisho 10 (1921) and Taisho 11 (1922) dates also. Based on these dates, I have established the approximate date for the set as ca 1922.

Second Series

No 1. The Goblin Spider (22 pp, translated by L. Hearn), large format on plain paper & small format on crepe paper, both 1899, and two more editions, 1899 (2nd) and 1926 (3rd). For information on the crepe version, click here. In the White Aster, this book is incorrectly listed as No. 23 in the first series.

No 2. The Wonderful Mallet, 1899, (30 pp, translated by T.H. James)

No 3. The Broken Images, 1903, (translated by T.H. James)

First editions, (English) of No. 1 - No. 3 completed 1899~1903.

Consolidated Set, 1st & 2nd Series Books, Japanese Fairy Tales translated by Lafcadio Hearn, sold in one folding case, Tokyo, Hasegawa, 5 volume set, crepe paper, very large size. Titles are:

The Boy Who Drew Cats (1st Series, #23)
The Old Woman Who Lost Her Dumpling (1st Series, #24)
Chin Chin Kobakama (1st Series, #25)
The Fountain of Youth
The Goblin Spider (2nd Series, #1)

The series and numbers shown above were omitted from the books in these sets. These sets of these five books were marketed directly by Hasegawa and sold in a blue folding case.

Hasegawa also produced a set for Macrae-Smith Company, Philadelphia, 1931. Based upon information I have available, the five books in the Macrae-Smith Company set do not carry the Macrae-Smith Company imprint nor are they dated 1931, in Japanese or English. It appears that the Macrae-Smith imprint is found only on the paste on title on the blue folding case. I believe that the books in this set vary only slightly from other printings. It is possible they are indistinguishable (without the folding case) from the same books marketed, individually or in sets, directly by Hasegawa. None of the books in this set carried a series number.

The above 5 books, all translated by Lafcadio Hearn, were initially issued in large plain paper (not creped) format (usually 7+ x 9+ in) and simultaneously, or in some cases later, in smaller crepe paper versions.

The Fountain of Youth has an unusual history. It apparently was intended to be a part of the Second Series (1899-1903) but the manuscript was "misplaced" and it was not published until much later (1922). To compound the situation, the stock was destroyed in a fire caused by an earthquake. For more information on this book, click here.

The relationship between Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904) and Takejiro Hasegawa is a fascinating one. Hearn was an accomplished and prolific writer living in Japan at the time. He clearly was interested in collaborating with Hasegawa and one might expect that he would have been involved in many of Hasegawa's publications. Frederic A. Sharf discusses the Hasegawa/Hearn relationship in depth the "Biographical Notes on Takejiro Hasegawa's Contributing Authors and Translators" to his book, Takejiro Hasegawa. Hearn first contacted Hasegawa in 1894 suggesting a new fairy tale series. It is abundantly clear that Hasegawa did not share the same enthusiasm for Hearn's work and the new fairy tale series that Hearn envisioned. The "misplacing" of the Fountain of Youth manuscript by Hasegawa was entirely consistent with Hasegawa's attitude. Between 1898 and Hearn's death in 1904 only four of his works were used by Hasegawa (Fist Series, No. 23-5 and Second Series, No. 1). After his death, only one more Hearn work was published (Fountain of Youth 1922).

Aino Fairy Tales (by B.H. Chamberlain) Series (Kobunsha)
(All on plain paper and large (small 12mo - 5+ x 7+ in) format)

No 1. The Hunter in Fairy-Land (1887)
No 2. The Birds' Party (1887)
No 3. The Man Who Lost His Wife (copyright 1887, released Oct 1889)

I have not seen a crepe paper version of these books reported.

Western Fairy Tale Series
Yattsuyagi (Eight Goats), Hasegawa's first and only effort to translate a Western fairy tale (Grimm) into Japanese, text in Japanese, plain paper, 12.6 x 18.1 cm.

Other Hasegawa Publications

Hasegawa, T. (Publisher)
Bostwick, F.M. (Mae St. John):
Kohana San, Hasegawa, 10 Hiyoshicho, Tokio, Japan, 1892 & c1893, large 12 mo (6 1/2 x 7 3/4 in - 16.4 x 19.5 cm). An illustrated story of Kohana-san (Little Flower), a Geisha of Kobe, presented in song and woodblock illustrations. Music and verse, written by F. M. Bostwick, US Navy (actually Mae St. John), and sung to the air of "Bally Holly." Front cover reads, "T. Hasegawa, Kelly & Walsh, Ltd, Yokohama, Tokyo, 1892." Eleven or 12 pages of folded creped paper for a total of 22 or 24 pages (front and back cover included in the count). The first part of the book is a musical score (sung to the tune of "Bally Holly"). The score is followed by additional sets of lyrics. This book was also issued in a plain paper version.

There were two printings of this book. There are minor differences in the printings. One version has 22 pages. The other version has 24 pages.

To see the complete 22 page version, 1892, click here.
To see the complete 24 page version, c1893, click here.

~~ Available - "Kohana San" (1892.4.10 - 24 Page Version) - Purchase Here ~~

Similar Books Printed by Hasegawa (Crepe Paper and Non-Crepe Paper):

c1884, Writings of Buddha, 2 volumes, copyrighted November 26, 1884, issued under the Kobunsha imprint.

Japanese Fairy Tale Series Books - Begin
No. 1, 1885, First Edition, David Thompson (translator), Momotaro, No. 1, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), Meiji 18 (1885), Tokio (No. 2 Miami Sayegicho), Kobunsha, first edition, title on cover is in phonetic Japanese (transliterated) rather than translated into English, English title (Little Peachling) is stated on the first page, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, 12mo (5 x 7 1/4 in - 12.5 x 18.2 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, string or stab tied, 18 pp - 9 folded - (including covers). The front cover is nicely illustrated in colors. The back cover is lightly illustrated in one color. For more information on this book, click here.
No. 1, 1886, Second Edition, David Thompson (translator), Momotaro, No. 1, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), Meiji 19 (1886), Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Saegicho), Kobunsha imprint, stated second edition, title on cover is in phonetic Japanese (transliterated) rather than translated into English, English title (Little Peachling) is stated on the first page, transliterated title and "Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 1" inside the front cover, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, 12mo (5 x 7 1/4 in - 12.5 x 18.2 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, silk stab tied, 22 pp - 11 folded - (including covers). The front cover is nicely illustrated in colors. The back cover is lightly illustrated. Sensei Eitaku was the artist who created the illustrations. Translated from Japanese to English by David Thompson. The colophon indicates a publication date of Meiji 19 (1886), Aug 26. A very similar later printing of the plain paper Second Edition was published ca 1887. For more information on these two printings of the Second Edition, click here.
~~ Available - "Momotaro" (c1887, 2nd Edition, Later Printing, Stab Ties) - Purchase Here ~~
No. 1, 1887, Japanese Market Edition, David Thompson (translator), Momotaro, No. 1, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), Meiji 19 (1886), Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Saegicho), Kobunsha imprint, stated second edition, title on cover is in phonetic Japanese (transliterated) rather than translated into English, English title (Little Peachling) is stated on the first page, transliterated title and "Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 1" inside the front cover, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, 12mo (5 x 7 1/4 in - 12.5 x 18.2 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, silk stab tied, 22 pp - 11 folded - (including covers). The front cover is nicely illustrated in colors. The back cover is lightly illustrated. Sensei Eitaku was the artist who created the illustrations. Translated from Japanese to English by David Thompson. The colophon indicates a publication date of Meiji 19 (1886), Aug 26. A very similar later printing of the plain paper Second Edition was published ca 1887. For more information on these two printings of the Second Edition, click here.
No. 1, 1887, "School and Home Use" Edition, T.H. James (translator), Momotaro, No. 1, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), Meiji 20 (1887), Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Saegicho), Kobunsha imprint, plain wraps and plain paper in 12 folded pages (covers not counted), string tied (Kangxi style), Japanese and English title pages, internal illustrations in color, full colophon at the back followed by a list of the Kobunsha's Japanese Fairy Tale Series (Nos. 1-12). The English title page reads: "The Japanese Fairy Tales for School and Home Use, No. 1, Momotaro, Arranged by Mrs. T.H. James." The first full page color woodblock is the image found on the Second and later editions (a boy and two armed monkeys) but there is no title or lettering.
No. 1, c1911, David Thompson (translator), Momotaro, (Little Peachling also on title page), No. 1, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1911, Tokyo (17 Kami Negishi), Hasegawa, title on cover is transliterated but translated on the title page, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.2 x 15.3 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, string tied, 22 pp - 11 folded - (including covers). The front cover is nicely illustrated in color. The back cover has a subdued color pattern. Internally there are 15 pages with color woodblock illustrations. This is a latter printing of this book which was first in 1885 on plain paper. Sensei Eitaku was the artist who created the illustrations. While this is a c1911 reprint,* the colophon in the book indicates a printing date of August 17, Meiji 18 (1885) and a publication date the same year. The book was reprinted several times over the years. This copy is dated not by the colophon but by the Hasegawa address. For more information on this book, click here.
No. 1, 1932, Kate James (translator), Momotaro, crepe paper, large size for a Hasegawa book (19.2 cm x 14 cm). The text in this book differs from that in the books translated by David Thompson. The colophon states a printing and publication date of Showa 7 (1932) To see the front cover, colophon and title page, click here.
No. 1, 1885~1932, Momotaro, a specialist collector of these books has recorded 13 different imprints of this book. This demonstrates the complexity of any undertaking to catalogue and document the scope of T. Hasegawa's publishing work.
No. 2, 1885, First Edition, David Thompson (translator), Shitakiri Suzume, No. 2, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), Meiji 18 (1885), Tokio (No. 2 Minami Sayegicho), Kobunsha, first edition, first printing, title on cover is in phonetic Japanese (transliterated) rather than translated into English, English title (The Tongue Cut Sparrow) is stated on the first page, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, 12mo (4 7/8 x 7 1/4 in - 12.5 x 18.2 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, string tied, 22 pp - 11 folded pages - (including covers). The front cover is nicely illustrated in colors. The back cover is lightly illustrated in one color. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Shitakiri Suzume" Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 2 (1885, 1st Edition, 1st Printing, Variety A) - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "Shitakiri Suzume" Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 2 (1885, 1st Edition, 1st Printing, Variety B) - Purchase Here ~~
No. 2, 1886, First Edition, Second Printing, David Thompson (translator), Shitakiri Suzume, No. 2, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), Meiji 19 (1885), Tokio (No. 2 Minami Sayegicho), Kobunsha, first edition, second printing, title on cover is in phonetic Japanese (transliterated) rather than translated into English, English title (The Tongue Cut Sparrow) is stated on the first page, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, 12mo (4 7/8 x 7 1/4 in - 12.5 x 18.2 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, silk stab ties, 22 pp - 12 folded pages - (including covers). The front cover is nicely illustrated in colors. The back cover is lightly illustrated in one color. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Shitakiri Suzume" Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 2, (1886, 1st Edition, 2nd Printing) - Purchase Here ~~
No. 2, 1886, Second Edition, David Thompson (translator), Tongue Cut Sparrow, No. 2, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), Meiji 19 (1886), Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Sayegicho), Kobunsha imprint, stated second edition, title on cover is English (translated) and the fairy tale number is stated, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, 12mo (5 x 7 1/4 in - 12.5 x 18.2 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, silk stab tied, 22 pp - 11 folded - (including covers). The front cover is nicely illustrated in colors. The back cover is lightly illustrated. Sensei Eitaku was the artist who created the illustrations. Translated from Japanese to English by David Thompson. The colophon indicates an additional printing date of Meiji 19 (1886) in addition to the Meiji 18 dates found in the first printing. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Tongue Cut Sparrow" Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 2, (1886, 2nd Edition) - Purchase Here ~~
No. 2, c1898, David Thompson (translator), Tongue-Cut Sparrow, No. 2, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1898, Tokyo (10 Hiyoshi-cho, Kyobashi-ku), Hasegawa, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (3 3/4 x 6 in - 9 x 15 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, silk stab ties, 22 pp - 11 folded - (including covers). The front cover is nicely illustrated in color. The back cover has a subdued color pattern. This is a latter printing of this book which was first published in 1885 on plain paper. Sensei Eitaku was the artist who created the illustrations. While this is a c1898 reprint, the colophon in the book indicates a printing date of August 17, 1885 (Meiji 18). The book was reprinted several times over the years. This copy is dated not by the colophon but by the Hasegawa address. For more information on this book, click here.
No. 2, c1911, David Thompson (translator), Tongue-Cut Sparrow, No. 2, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1911, Tokyo (17 Kami Negishi), Hasegawa, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.2 x 15.3 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, silk stab ties, 24 pp - 12 folded - (including covers). The front cover is nicely illustrated in color. The back cover has a subdued color pattern. This is a latter printing of this book which was first published in 1885 on plain paper. Sensei Eitaku was the artist who created the illustrations. While this is a c1911 reprint,* the colophon in the book indicates a printing date of August 17, Meiji 18 (1885). The book was reprinted several times over the years. This copy is dated not by the colophon but by the Hasegawa address. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Tongue-Cut Sparrow, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 2 (c1911, Reprint) - Purchase Here ~~
No. 3, 1885, First Edition, David Thompson (translator), Saru-Kani Kassen (1st printing), or Battle of the Monkey & the Crab, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 3, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), Meiji 18 (1885), Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Saegicho), Kobunsha, first edition, first printing, title on cover is in phonetic Japanese (transliterated) rather than translated into English, English title (Battle of the Monkey & the Crab) is stated on the first page, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, large 18mo (4 7/8 x 7 1/8 in - 12.4 x 18.2 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, stab tied with silk threads, 18 pp - 9 folded (including covers). Sensei Eitaku was the artist who created the illustrations. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Saru-Kani Kassen, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 3" (1885, 1st Edition, 1st Printing) - Purchase Here ~~
No. 3, 1886, Second Edition, David Thompson (translator), Battle of the Monkey and the Crab, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 3 (Second Edition), Meiji 19 (1886), Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Saegicho), Kobunsha, second edition, title on cover is translated into English, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, large 18mo (4 7/8 x 7 1/8 in - 12.4 x 18.2 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, silk ties, 18 pp - 9 folded (including covers). Sensei Eitaku was the artist who created the illustrations. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Battle of the Monkey and the Crab, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 3 (Second Edition)" (1886) VG+ - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "Battle of the Monkey and the Crab, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 3 (Second Edition)" (1886) VG - Purchase Here ~~
No. 3, 1888, Griffith, Farran & Co. Printing, David Thompson (translator), Battle of the Monkey & the Crab, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 3, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), Meiji 19 (1886), Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Saegicho), Kobunsha, title on cover is translated into English, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (3 3/4 x 6 in - 9.7 x 15.1 cm), crepe paper folded sheets, spine covered with silk type fabric, bound Western style with no stab or external string ties, 18 pages total including covers (9 folded pages). The front cover is nicely illustrated in color. The back cover has a subdued color pattern. This is a latter printing of this book which was first published in 1885 on plain paper. Sensei Eitahu was the artist who created the illustrations. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - Battle of the Monkey & the Crab, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 3" (1888, Griffith Farran & Co. Printing) - Part of a Unit of 11 Different, Purchase Here ~~
No. 3, c1911, David Thompson (translator), Battle of the Monkey and the Crab, No. 3, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1911, Tokyo (17 Kami Negishi), Hasegawa, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.2 x 15.3 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, string tied, 19 pp - 9 folded - (including covers). The front cover is nicely illustrated in color. The back cover has a subdued color pattern. Internally there are 12 pages with color woodblock illustrations. This is a latter printing of this book which was first in 1885 on plain paper. Sensei Eitaku was the artist who created the illustrations. While this is a c1911 reprint, the colophon in the book indicates a printing date of August 17, Meiji 18 (1885). The book was reprinted several times over the years. This copy is dated not by the colophon but by the Hasegawa address. For more information on this book, click here.
No. 4, 1885, First Edition, David Thompson (translator), Hanasaki Jiji (1st printing), or Hanasaki Jiji, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 4 (2nd printing), Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), Meiji 18 (1885), Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Saegicho), Kobunsha, first edition, title on cover is in phonetic Japanese (transliterated) rather than translated into English, English title (The Old Man who Made Dead Trees Blossom) is stated on the first page, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, large 18mo (4 7/8 x 7 1/8 in - 12.4 x 18.2 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, string tied or cord stab tied, 18 pp - 9 folded (including covers). Sensei Eitaku was the artist who created the illustrations. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Hanasaki Jiji" (1885, 1st Edition, 1st printing) - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "Hanasaki Jiji, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 4" (1885, 1st Edition, 2nd printing, Very Good) - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "Hanasaki Jiji, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 4" (1885, 1st Edition, 2nd printing, Good) - Purchase Here ~~
No. 4, 1885, First Edition, David Thompson (translator), The Old Man Who Made The Dead Trees Blossom, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 4 (1st edition, 2nd printing), Meiji 18 (1885), Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Saegicho), Kobunsha, first edition, title on cover is translated into English, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, large 18mo (4 7/8 x 7 1/8 in - 12.4 x 18.2 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, silk ties, 18 pp - 9 folded (including covers). Sensei Eitaku was the artist who created the illustrations. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "The Old Man Who Made The Dead Trees Blossom" (1885, 1st Edition, 2nd printing, VG+) - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "The Old Man Who Made The Dead Trees Blossom" (1885, 1st Edition, 2nd printing, VG) - Purchase Here ~~
No. 4, c1911, David Thompson (translator), The Old Man Who Made the Dead Trees Blossom, No. 4, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1911, Tokyo (17 Kami Negishi), Hasegawa, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.2 x 15.3 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, silk stab tied, 18 pp - 9 folded (including covers). The front cover is nicely illustrated in color. The back cover has a subdued color pattern. Internally there are 14 pages with color woodblock illustrations. This is a later printing of this book which was first in 1885 on plain paper. Sensei Eitaku was the artist who created the illustrations. While this is a c1911 reprint, the colophon in the book indicates a printing date of August 17, Meiji 18 (1885). The book was reprinted several times over the years. This copy is dated not by the colophon but by the Hasegawa address. For more information on this book, click here.
No. 5, 1885, First Edition, David Thompson (translator), Kachi-Kachi Yama, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), Meiji 18 (1885), Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Saegicho), Kobunsha, first edition, title on cover is in phonetic Japanese (transliterated) rather than translated into English, English title (Kachi-Kichi Mountain) is stated on the first page, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, large 18mo (4 7/8 x 7 1/8 in - 12.4 x 18.2 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, silk stab tied, 28 pp - 14 folded (including covers). The colophon indicates a printing date of August 17, Meiji 18 (1885) and a publication date of March the next year. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Kachi-Kachi Yama" (1885, 1st Edition, Stab Cord Ties) - Purchase Here ~~
No. 5, c1888 Reprint, David Thompson (translator), Kachi-Kachi Mountain, Japanese Fairy Tale Series not stated on the cover, c1888, early (perhaps first) crepe paper version, 2 Minami Saegi-Cho, Kyobashi-ku, Tokyo, Hasegawa, title on cover is translated into English, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 1/8 x 6 in - 10.5 x 15.3 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, silk stab tied, 22 pp - 11 folded pages (including covers). The colophon indicates a printing date of August 17, Meiji 18 (1885) and a publication date of August 29 the next year. However it also lists other dates, the latest of which is August 1, Meiji 21 (1888). The 2 Minami Saegicho Kobunsha address is shown on the front cover, colophon inside the front cover and the colophon on the back cover. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Kachi-Kachi Mountain" (c1888, Reprint) - Purchase Here ~~
No. 5, c1898 Reprint, David Thompson (translator), Kachi-Kachi Mountain,, No 5, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1898 reprint, 10 Hiyoshi-cho, Kyobashi-ku, Tokyo, Hasegawa, title on cover is translated into English, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.2 x 15.3 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, silk stab ties tied, 22 pp - 11 folded (including covers). The front cover and back covers are nicely illustrated in colors. Internally there are 19 pages with color woodblock illustrations and text. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Kachi-Kachi Mountain" No 5. (c1898, Reprint) - Purchase Here ~~
No. 6, 1885, First Edition, David Thompson (translator), Nedzumi no Yome-iri, Meiji 18 (1885), Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Saegicho), Kobunsha, first edition, title on cover is in phonetic Japanese (transliterated) rather than translated into English, English title (The Mouse's Wedding) is stated on the first page, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, 12mo (5 x 7 1/4 in - 12.5 x 18.2 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, string tied, 28 pp - 14 folded - (including covers). For more information on this book, click here.
No. 6, c1886, David Thompson (translator), Nedzumi no Yome-iri, No. 6, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1886, Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Saegicho), Kobunsha imprint, title on cover is in phonetic Japanese (transliterated) rather than translated into English, English title (The Mouse's Wedding) is stated on the first page, transliterated title and "Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 6" inside the front cover, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, 12mo (5 x 7 1/4 in - 12.5 x 18.2 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, silk stab tied, 22 pp - 11 folded - (including covers). For more information on this book, click here.
No. 6, c1911, David Thompson (translator), The Mouse's Wedding, No. 6, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1911, Tokyo (17 Kami Negishi), Hasegawa, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.2 x 15.3 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, string tied, 22 pp - 22 folded - (including covers). The front cover is nicely illustrated in color. The back cover has a subdued color pattern. Internally there are 16 pages with color woodblock illustrations. This is a later printing of this book which was first in 1885 on plain paper. Sensei Eitaku was the artist who created the illustrations. While this is a c1911 reprint, the colophon in the book indicates a printing date of September 18, Meiji 18 (1885). The book was reprinted several times over the years. This copy is dated not by the colophon but by the Hasegawa address. For more information on this book, click here.
No. 7, c1898, James Curtis Hepburn (translator), The Old Man & The Devils, No. 7, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1898 reprint, 10 Hiyoshi-cho, Kyobashi-ku, Tokyo, Hasegawa, later printing, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.2 x 15.3 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, string tied, 22 pp - 11 folded - (including covers). The front cover and back covers are nicely illustrated in colors. Internally there are 14 pages with color woodblock illustrations and text. The first edition of this book was printed in April 1886 and published in June of 1886. This is a later edition (reprint) printed and published in August of 1897 (Meiji 30). For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "The Old Man & the Devils" (c1900, Reprint) - Purchase Here ~~
No. 8, 1886, First Edition, B.H. Chamberlain (translator), Urashima, front cover also contains "Japanese Fairy Tale Series No. 8," Meiji 19 (1886), Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Saegicho), Kobunsha imprint, title on cover is in phonetic Japanese (transliterated) rather than translated into English, English title (The Fisher Boy, Urashima) is stated on the first page, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, 12mo (5 x 7 1/4 in - 12.5 x 18.2 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, stab tied with silk treads, 28 pp - 14 folded - (including covers). The front cover is nicely illustrated in colors. The back cover is lightly illustrated with a wave pattern. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Urashima, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 8" (1886, 1st Edition) - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "Urashima, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 8" (1886, 1st Edition) - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "Urashima, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 8" (1886, 1st Edition) - Purchase Here ~~
No. 9, 1886, First Edition, Basil Chamberlain Hall (translator), Yamata No Orochi, No. 9, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), Meiji 19 (1886), 2 Minami Saegicho, Tokyo, Kobunsha/Hasegawa, medium size for a Hasegawa book,12mo (4 5/8 x 7 1/4 in - 12.5 x 18.2 cm), title is transliterated and includes the Japan Fairy Tale number (Type A1), plain paper in folded sheets, spine not covered, silk stab ties, 28 pp - 14 folded - (including covers). The front and back covers are nicely illustrated in color. Sensei Eitahu was the artist who created the illustrations. The colophon in the book indicates a printing date of Meiji 19 (1886). For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Yamata No Orochi" (1886, First Edition) Very Good - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "Yamata No Orochi" (1886, First Edition) Good - Purchase Here ~~
No. 9, 1886, First Edition, Later Printing, Basil Chamberlain Hall (translator), Serpent With Eight Heads, No. 9, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1886, 2 Minami Saegicho, Tokyo, Kobunsha/Hasegawa, medium size for a Hasegawa book,12mo (4 5/8 x 7 1/4 in - 12.5 x 18.2 cm), title is translated and includes the Japan Fairy Tale number (Type B), plain paper in folded sheets, spine not covered, silk stab ties, 28 pp - 14 folded - (including covers). For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Serpent With Eight Heads" (1886, First Edition, Later Printing), Fine - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "Serpent With Eight Heads" (1886, First Edition, Later Printing), Very Good+ - Purchase Here ~~
No. 9, c1904, Basil Chamberlain Hall (translator), The Serpent With Eight Heads, No. 9, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1904, Tokyo (38 Yotsuya, Honmura), T. Hasegawa, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.2 x 15.3 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, string tied, 28 pp - 14 folded - (including covers). The front and back covers are nicely illustrated in color. The 38 Yotsuya, Honmura, address provides the approximate date of the book. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Serpent With Eight Heads" (c1904, Reprint) - Purchase Here ~~
No. 9, c1920, Basil Chamberlain Hall (translator), The Serpent With Eight Heads, No. 9, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1920, Tokyo (17 Kami Negishi), T. Hasegawa, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.2 x 15.3 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, string tied, 28 pp - 14 folded - (including covers). The Kami Negishi, address provides the approximate date of the book. For more information on this book, click here.
No. 10, 1886, First Edition, T.H. James (translator), Matsuyama Kagami, No. 10, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), Meiji 19 (1886), Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Saegicho), Kobunsha imprint, title on cover is in phonetic Japanese (transliterated) rather than translated into English, English title (The Matsuyama Mirror) is stated on the first page, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, 12mo (5 x 7 1/4 in - 12.5 x 18.2 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, silk stab ties, 22 pp - 11 folded pages - (including covers). For more information on this book, click here.
No. 10, 1886, First Edition, Later Printing, T.H. James (translator), Matsuyama Mirror, No. 10, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1886, Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Saegicho), Kobunsha imprint, title on cover is in translated into English and the Japanese Fairy Tale Series No. is stated, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, 12mo (4 7/8 x 7 1/4 in - 12.3 x 18.2 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, silk stab ties, 22 pp - 11 folded pages - (including covers). For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Matsuyama Mirror" (1886, First Edition, Later Printing) - Purchase Here ~~
No. 10, c1898, T.H. James (translator), The Matsuyama Mirror, No 10, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1898 reprint, 10 Hiyoshi-cho, Kyobashi-ku, Tokyo, Hasegawa, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.2 x 15.3 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, string tied, 22 pp - 11 folded (including covers). The book contains a Japanese text colophon with dates from the 1st printing. For more information on this book, click here.
No. 10, c1902, T.H. James (translator), The Matsuyama Mirror, No 10, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1902 reprint, 38 Yotsuya Honmura, Tokyo, Hasegawa, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.2 x 15.3 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, string tied, 22 pp - 11 folded (including covers). The book contains a Japanese text colophon with dates from the 1st printing. For more information on this book, click here.
No. 11, 1886, First Edition, T.H. James (translator), The Hare of Inaba, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 11 (1st edition, 2nd printing), Meiji 19 (1886), Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Saegicho), Kobunsha, first edition, title on cover is translated into English, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, large 18mo (4 7/8 x 7 1/8 in - 12.4 x 18.2 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, silk stab ties, 18 pp - 9 folded (including covers). Sensei Eitaku was the artist who created the illustrations. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "The Hare of Inaba" (1886, 1st Edition, 2nd printing) - Purchase Here ~~
No. 11, c1898, T.H. James (translator), The Hare of Inaba, No 11, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1898 reprint, 10 Hiyoshi-cho, Kyobashi-ku, Tokyo, Hasegawa, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.2 x 15.3 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, silk stab ties, 18 pp - 9 folded (including covers). The book contains a Japanese text colophon with dates from the 1st printing. For more information on this book, click here.
No. 12, 1886, First Edition, T.H. James (translator), Kitsune no Tegara, front cover also contains "Japanese Fairy Tale Series No. 12," Meiji 19 (1886), Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Saegicho), Kobunsha imprint, title on cover is in phonetic Japanese (transliterated) rather than translated into English, English title (The Cubs Triumph) is stated on the first page, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, 12mo (4 7/8 x 7 1/4 in - 12.3 x 18.2 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, silk stab, 26 pp - 13 folded - (including covers). For more information on this book, click here.
No. 12, 1886, First Edition, Later Printing, T.H. James (translator), The Cub's Triumph, front cover also contains "Japanese Fairy Tale Series No. 12," c1886, Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Saegicho), Kobunsha imprint, title on cover is translated into English, English title, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, 12mo (4 7/8 x 7 1/4 in - 12.3 x 18.2 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, silk stab, 26 pp - 13 folded (including covers). For more information on this book, click here.
No. 12, c1898, T.H. James (translator), The Cub's Triumph, No 12, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1898 reprint, 10 Hiyoshi-cho, Kyobashi-ku, Tokyo, Hasegawa, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.2 x 15.3 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, string tied, 26 pp - 13 folded (including covers). The front cover and back covers are nicely illustrated in colors. Internally there are 23 pages with color woodblock illustrations and text. The book contains a Japanese text colophon with dates from the 1st printing. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "The Cub's Triumph, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 12" (c1911, Reprint) - Purchase Here ~~
No. 13, 1887, First Edition, B.H. Chamberlain (translator), The Silly Jelly-Fish, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 13, Told in English by B.H. Chamberlain, front cover also contains "Japanese Fairy Tale Series No. 13," Meiji 20 (1887), Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Saegicho), Kobunsha imprint, title on cover is translated into English, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, 12mo (5 x 7 1/4 in - 12.4 x 18.3 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, silk ties, 22 pp - 12 folded - (including covers). For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "The Silly Jelly-Fish, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 13" (1887, 1st Edition), Very Good - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "The Silly Jelly-Fish, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 13" (1887, 1st Edition), Good - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "The Silly Jelly-Fish, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 13" (1887, 1st Edition), Good (-) - Purchase Here ~~
No. 13, c1898, Basil Hall Chamberlain (translator), The Silly Jelly Fish, No 13, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1898 reprint, 10 Hiyoshi-cho, Kyobashi-ku, Tokyo, Hasegawa, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.2 x 15.3 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, string tied, 22 pp - 11 folded (including covers). The front cover and back covers are nicely illustrated in colors. Internally there are 20 pages with color woodblock illustrations and text. The book contains a Japanese text colophon with dates from the 1st printing. Inside the front cover is a advertisement/listing of books No 1~23 in the Japanese Fairy Tale Series. For more information on this book, click here.
No. 14, 1887, First Edition, T.H. James (translator), The Princes Fire-Flash & Fire-Fade, front cover also contains "Japanese Fairy Tale Series No. 14," Meiji 20 (1887), Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Saegicho), Kobunsha imprint, title on cover is translated into English, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, 16mo (4 3/4 x 7 1/4 in - 12.3 x 18.2 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, stab tied with silk treads, 28 pp - 14 folded - (including covers). The front and back covers are nicely illustrated in colors. This book is found with with very different illustrations. I call these books Type 1 and Type 2. For more information on this book and the two types, click here.
~~ Available - "The Princes Fire-Flash & Fire-Fade, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 14" (1887, 1st Edition, Type 1), Very Good - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "The Princes Fire-Flash & Fire-Fade, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, No. 14" (1887, 1st Edition, Type 2), Very Good+ - Purchase Here ~~
No. 14, c1898, T.H. James (translator), The Princes Fire-Flash & Fire-Fade, Told to Children by Mrs. T. H. James, No 14, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1898 reprint, 10 Hiyoshi-cho, Kyobashi-ku, Tokyo, Hasegawa, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.2 x 15.3 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, string tied, 28 pp - 14 folded (including covers). The front cover and back covers are nicely illustrated in colors. Internally there are 25 pages with color woodblock illustrations and text. While this is a c1898 reprint, the book contains a Japanese text colophon with dates from the 1st printing. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Princes Fire-Flash & Fire-Fade, No 14" (1898, Reprint) - Purchase Here ~~
No. 14, 1917, T.H. James (translator), The Princes Fire-Flash & Fire-Fade, Told in English by Kate James, No 14, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), 1917 reprint, 17 Kami Negishi-cho, Shitaya-ku, Tokyo, Hasegawa, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.1 x 15.2 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, string tied, 28 pp - 14 folded (including covers). The front cover and back covers are nicely illustrated in colors. Internally there are 25 pages with color woodblock illustrations and text. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Princes Fire-Flash & Fire-Fade, No 14" (1917, Reprint) - Purchase Here ~~
No. 15, 1887, First Edition, Basil Hall Chamberlain (translator), My Lord Bag-o-Rice, No 15, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, Meiji 20 (1887), Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Saegi-cho, Kyobashi-ku), Kobunsha, first edition, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, 12mo (4 7/8 x 7 1/8 in - 12.4 x 18.2 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, silk stab tied, 22 pp - 11 folded - (including covers). Suzuki Kason was the artist who created the color woodcut illustrations. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "My Lord Bag-o-Rice, No 15" (1887, Plain Paper), Very Good+ - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "My Lord Bag-o-Rice, No 15" (1887, Plain Paper), Very Good - Purchase Here ~~
No. 16, 1887, First Edition, Mrs. T.H. James (translator), The Wooden Bowl, No 16, Japanese Fairy Tale Series, Meiji 20 (1887), Meiji 20 (1887), Tokyo (No. 2 Minami Saegicho), Kobunsha,first edition, title on cover is translated into English, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, 12mo (4 7/8 x 7 1/8 in - 12.4 x 18.3 cm), plain paper (not crepe) in folded sheets, spine not covered, silk stab ties, 28 pp - 14 folded (including covers). Tosa Matabei was the artist who created the illustrations. Translated from Japanese to English by Mrs. T.H. James. The colophon states a printing date of November 22, Meiji 20 (1887). Inside the back cover is a listing of the "Kobunsha Aino Fairy Tale Series" which lists all three books in that series. For more information on this book, click here.
Units:
~~ Available - 11 Different Japanese Fairy Tales, Kobunsha/Griffith, Farran & Co., 3//16 - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - 4 Consecutive Japanese Fairy Tales (Nos. 9~12), Bound in One Book, Kobunsha/Griffith, Farran & Co. - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - 4 Consecutive Japanese Fairy Tales (Nos. 9~12), Bound in One Book, Kobunsha/Griffith, Farran & Co. - Purchase Here ~~
No. 16 (Substitute), c1922, Mrs. T.H. James (translator), The Wonderful Tea Kettle, No. 19, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1922 reprint, Tokyo (17 Kami Negishi), T. Hasegawa, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.5 x 15.2 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, stab tied with silk threads, 28 pp - 14 double folded (including covers). The first printing of this book was in 1896. It was a substitution for The Wooden Bowl. For more information on this book, click here.
No. 17, c1902, Mrs. T.H. James (translator), Schippeitaro, No. 17, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1902 reprint, Tokyo (38 Honmura-cho), T. Hasegawa, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.5 x 15.5 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, stab tied with silk threads, 26 pp - 13 double folded (including covers). The front and back covers nicely illustrated in color. Suzuki Kason was the artist who created the color woodcut illustrations. The first printing of this book was in 1888. For more information on this book, click here.
No. 18, c1922, Mrs. T.H. James (translator), The Ogre's Arm, No. 18, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1922 reprint, Tokyo (17 Kami Negishi), T. Hasegawa, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.5 x 15.2 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, stab tied with silk threads, 26 pp - 13 double folded (including covers). The first printing of this book was in 1891. For more information on this book, click here.
No. 19, c1922, Mrs. T.H. James (translator), Ogres of Oyeyama, No. 19, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1922 reprint, Tokyo (17 Kami Negishi), T. Hasegawa, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.5 x 15.2 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, stab tied with silk threads, 32 pp - 16 double folded (including covers). The first printing of this book was in 1891. For more information on this book, click here.
No. 20, c1922, Mrs. T.H. James (translator), The Enchanted Waterfall, No. 20, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1922 reprint, Tokyo (17 Kami Negishi), T. Hasegawa, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.5 x 15.2 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, stab tied, 22 pp - 11 folded (including covers). For more information on this book, click here.
Nos. 1-20, 1914, Spanish Edition, Cuentos Del Japon Viejo, Nos. 1~10 and Leyendas y Narraciones Japonesas, Nos. 1~10, set of 20 books, Japanese Fairy Tales (Spanish), Tokyo (17 Kami Negishi), Taisho 3 (1914), small 18mo (4 1/8 x 6 in - 10.1~10.4 x 15~15.2 cm), small size for a Hasegawa book, creped paper in folded sheets, spine covered with silk type fabric, silk stab ties, each book with 18~28 (9-14 folded) pages total including covers, a total of 462 pages (231 folded pages). For more information, on this book set, click here.
Nos. 1-20, c1922, Mrs. T.H. James (translator) etc, Nos. 1-20, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1922 reprint, Tokyo (17 Kami Negishi), T. Hasegawa, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.5 x 15.2 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, stab tied with silk threads, each number with 18~32 pages total including covers, a total of 237 folded pages or 474 pages. For more information on this book set, click here.
No. 23, 1898, Lafcadio Hearn (translator), The Boy Who Drew Cats, No. 23, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), Meiji 31 (1898), small 12mo (5 x 6 3/4 in - 12.8 x 17.3 cm), medium size for a Hasegawa book, creped paper in folded sheets, spine covered, silk tied, 24 pages (14 folded pages) including the covers. The artist who created the illustrations was Suzuki Kason. This was the first book published by Hasegawa with Hearn's work. Four others would follow. For more information on this book, click here.
No. 24, c1902, Lafcadio Hearn (translator), The Old Woman Who Lost Her Dumpling, No. 24, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), c1902, 38 Honmura-cho, Yotsuya-ku, Tokyo, T. Hasegawa - Publisher and Art Printer, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, 12mo (5 1/4 x 7 1/4 in - 13.5 x 19 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, silk tied, 2 pages of publisher's books at the rear, 24 pp (including covers). For more information on this book, click here.
No. 25, 1903, Lafcadio Hearn (translator), Chin Chin Kobakama, No. 25, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), 1903 (Meiji 36), 38 Honmura-cho, Yotsuya-ku, Tokyo, Hasegawa, medium size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, large 12mo (5 1/2 x 7 1/2 in - 13.6 x 19 cm), folded crepe paper, spine covered, string tied, 24 pp (including covers). For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Chin Chin Kobakama, No 25" Simpkin Marshall Imprint (1903) - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "Nos 23-25 & No 1, 2nd Series" (c1902-c1911) - Purchase Here ~~
Extra No., 1889, E. Rothesay Miller (translator), Princess Splendor, The Wood-cutter's Daughter, an unnumbered book in Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English), 1889 (Meiji 22), 1st edition in plain paper (3 Maruyacho, Tokyo, address) and crepe paper (10 Hiyoshicho, Tokyo, address), 2nd edition, 1895, in crepe paper only (10 Hiyoshicho, Tokyo, address), 18mo, 49 folded pages - including covers, 98 pp. The 2nd edition is a larger size than the 1st. For more information on this book, click here.
Unnumbered, Hearn, Lafcaido Hearn,The Fountain of Youth - Japanese Fairy Tale, large 12mo (5 1/2 x 7 1/2 in - 14 x 19.5 cm), 9 folded pages (including front and back cover), crepe paper, two silk stab ties, 18 pages total including the covers. Other printings include 1925, 1926 (Martin Hopkinson Ltd, London - 200 copies) and 1931 (Macrae-Smith Company, Philadelphia - part of a set of five). For more information on this book, and the 1925 printing in specific, click here.

~~ Available - "The Fountain of Youth" VG (1925 Printing) - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "The Fountain of Youth" Good+ (1925 Printing) - Purchase Here ~~
No. 1, 2nd Series, c1910, Lafcadio Hearn (translator), The Goblin Spider, Japanese Fairy Tales, Second Series, No. 1, Tokyo (38 Honmura-cho), T. Hasegawa, ca 1910, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.4 x 15.2 cm), small size for a Hasegawa book, creped paper in folded sheets, spine covered, silk stab ties, 22 pages (11 folded pages) including covers. This is a later printing. The colophon shows a date of 1899 (Meiji 32) but the 38 Honmura-cho address establishes it as a later printing.. In 1899 the Hasegawa address was 10 Hiyoshi-cho. To see this book, click here.

English Language Japanese Fairy Tale Series Books - End

Japanische Marchen
German Language Japanese Fairy Tale Series Books - Start
No. 10, 1889, translated into German by Hedwig Schipplock Der Spiegel zu Matsuyama, Japanische Marchen, ["The Matsuyama Mirror" - No. 10, Japanese Fairy Tale Series (English)], Meiji 22 (1889), 10 Hiyoshi-cho, Tokyo, T. Hasegawa, text in German, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 1/8 x 6 1/8 in - 10.3 x 15.4 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, silk stab ties, 22 pp - 11 folded pages (including covers). The colophon gives the date of Meiji 22 (1889) and the 10 Hiyoshi-cho address. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - Purchase Here ~~
1929-1931, Japanische Marchen, set of twelve books, Showa 4 (1929) & Showa 6 (1931), 17 Kami Negishi, Tokyo, T. Hasegawa/Y. Nishinomiya, text in German, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10 x 15 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, silk stab ties). This set contains the following English language Fairy Tale books translated into German: First Series, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 13 - Second Series, Nos 2 & 3 (12 books in total). For more information on these books, as well as early translations into German, click here.

Japanesika Sagor
Swedish Language Japanese Fairy Tale Series Books - Start
c1896, Japanesika Sagor, three books, Tokyo (10 Hiyoshicho), T. Hasegawa & Helsinki (Helsingfores), Wentzel Hagelstams Forlag, not dated but ca 1896, small size for a T. Hasegawa book, large 18mo (4 1/4 x 6 in - 10.5 x 15.1 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, silk ties.
- Momotaro, 10 folded pages, click here.
- Sparfven med den Klippta Tungan, 11 folded pages, click here.
- Gubben Och Trollen - Japanesiska Sagor, click here (outside web page).
Aino Fairy Tale Series Books - Begin
1887~9, Basil Hall Chamberlain, Aino Fairy Tales Series:
No. 1. The Hunter in Fairy-Land (1887)
No. 2. The Birds' Party (1887) and
No. 3. The Man Who Lost His Wife (copyright 1887, published 1889).
All printed on plain paper. Medium size, small 12mo (ca 5+ x 7+ in), for a Hasegawa book. No reports of any book from the series in crepe paper format. I have only seen No. 1 and No. 2 with the Tichnor & Co., Boston, additional imprint.

Chronological Bibliography of T. Hasegawa Books
Primarily Non-Japanese Fairy Tale Books
1886, Fairy Tale Series - Series 1~6, six series combined in on book, printed for Maruzen company by Hasegawa, plain paper, illustrated cardboard covers. Hasegawa established a special working relationship with the Maruzen company which marketed his material in Japan, primarily to Western customers.
c1886, An English and Japanese Dictionary of the Convenient Size for School Use, T. Hasegawa, Tokyo.
1887, Yattsuyagi, Western Fairy Tale Series, Hasegawa's first and apparently only effort to illustrate a Western fairy tale (Grimms' Fairy Tales - The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids). Translated into Japanese by Kure Ayautoshi, text entirely in Japanese, Meiji 20 (1887), printed July and published in September, plain paper, 12.6 x 18.1 cm. One of the few T. Hasegawa books with a movable parts. More information here (outside web site). There are two pages with flaps. The first, in the closed position shows the wolf at the door. When the flap is raised, it shows the kids inside the house. On the second flap, the fold-down flap in position, the image shows the sleeping wolf with his gorged stomach (he just eat the six little kids) and the mother goat (and one kid) standing over him with scissors. When the flap is folded down, the wolf's stomach has been cut open and the six little kids are emerging safe and sound.
1887, Fairy Tale Series - Series 7~12, six series combined in on book, printed for Maruzen company by Hasegawa, plain paper, illustrated cardboard covers.
c1887, Charles J. Barnes, New National First Reader, Tokio, Kobunsha, red printed paper covered boards, 1 leaf in Japanese and 95 pp. Illustrated throughout with woodblocks of children at play, domestic animals, scenes of natural history, etc. A series of textbooks. Barnes had a series of five of them, of which this is the first, or most elementary. Not to be confused with the numerous American editions of school books under the same title published by Barnes in the US during this same period. I understand that there is a series of four books along this same line (school type books) by H. Saito titled Practical English Grammar - The Kobunsha Language Series. These bear the Kobunsha imprint and the date 1899. Later books (1920) by Kobunsha are found in the "The Kobunsha Series for Higher Schools."
1889, Fairy Tale Series - Series 13~18, six series combined in on book, printed for Maruzen company by Kobunsha, plain paper, illustrated cardboard covers.
1890, F.M. Bostwick, Oyuchasan, Tokyo (10 Hiyoshi-cho), Kobunsha, distributed by Kelly & Walsh, Yokohama, 12mo (4 7/8 x 7 1/4 in - 12.5 x 18.4 cm), Meiji 23 (1890), silk stab ties, 11 pages of folded plain (hosho) paper, 11 folded pages (including the covers), 22 pages. Music written by "Lieutenant F. M. Bostwick, US Navy" and sung to the a popular American song, "Rosalie." The book carries the Kelly & Walsh (Yokohama - No. 61) imprint in addition to Kobunsha. The colophon indicates a printing and publication date of mid-December, 1890 and the 10 Hiyoshi-cho address. This is during the time that the name was being shifted from Kobunsha to T. Hasegawa and at the same time Hasegawa moved his operation to that new address. This is the only first edition book (ie not a later reprint that just copied that imprint) that I aware of with the Kobunsha imprint and the Hiyoshi-cho address. According to Sharf, this was the last book to carry the Kobunsha name. A second edition of the book was published in 1892 in plain and crepe paper versions. A second edition of the book on crepe paper with the Kelly & Walsh imprint was published in 1893. While these second editions carried the same title as the first edition, they contained completely different illustrations. Kohanasan printed in 1892 was a companion to these books.
For more information on the 1st edition (plain paper), click here.
For information on the 2nd edition, 1892, (crepe paper), click here.
For information on the 2nd edition, 1893, (crepe paper), click here.
~~ Available - "Oyuchasan" - First Edition on Plain Paper - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "Oyuchasan" - Second Edition, 1892, on Crepe Paper - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "Oyuchasan" - Second Edition, 1893, on Crepe Paper - Purchase Here ~~
c1890 - The Kobunsha imprint was discontinued and the "T. Hasegawa" imprint adopted, Oyuchasan appears to be the last book published unter the Kobunsha imprint.
1890, Occupations of Twelve Months, T. Hasegawa, 12mo, 12 pp. Plates show women's occupations.
1891, Mae St. John Bramhall, Japanese Jingles: Being a Few Little Verses Which Have Appeared Before in the "Japan Gazette", Hasegawa, Tokyo, distributed by Kelly & Walsh, Ltd, Yokohama, Meiji 24 (1891), crepe paper, small 12mo, 66 pp. A second edition (so stated on the title page) was published in 1892. A similar book Niponese Rhymes and Japanese Jingles was published later (1892 and some bear the imprint Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd, London). For more information on the first edition, click here and here for the second edition.
~~ Available - "Japanese Jingles" - 1891, 1st Ed - Purchase Here ~~
1891, translated by Archibald Little, The Rat's Plaint, Translated from the Original Chinese by Archibald Little, F.R.G.S., published by T. Hasegawa, sold by Kelly & Walsh, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Yokohama & Singapore, crepe paper, 17 folded pages for a total of 34 pages. A second edition was published c1894 and states "Second Edition" on the front cover. The Littles, Archibald Little and Alica Bewicke Little, wrote extensively on China and the Far East. For more information on the first and second editions of this book, click here.
~~ Available - "The Rat's Plaint, First Edition" - 1891 - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "The Rat's Plaint, Second Edition" - c1894 - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "The Rat's Plaint, Second Edition" - c1904 Printing - Purchase Here ~~
1891, translated by Mrs. Archibald (Alicia Bewicke) Little, The Fairy Foxes, A Chinese Legend, Told in English by Mrs. Archibald Little, Chinese fairy tales, crepe paper. Plain paper version also reported. A second edition was published in c1891 and a third edition in 1895. The third edition carries the Kelly & Walsh imprint. For information on the 3rd edition, click here (Internet Archive).
1892, F.M. Bostwick, Kohanasan, see above. Issued in 1890 and 1891, Oyuchasan (see above) was a companion book to this book.
1892, W. H. Smith, Children's Japan, Tokyo (10 Hiyosicho), T. Hasegawa, Meiji 25 (1892), large 12 mo (6 1/2 x 7 3/4 in - 16.4 x 19.6 cm), silk stab ties, spine covered, crepe paper, 20 numbered pages,. Front cover reads, "T. Hasegawa, Hiyosicho, Tokio." Twelve pages of folded crepe paper for a total of 24 pages (front and back cover included in the count). A second edition has been confirmed. For more information on the 1892 (first edition) and 1895 (second edition) books, click here.
~~ Available - "Childrens japan" - 1892, 1st Ed - Purchase Here ~~
1892, Archibald Little, The Dragons at the Gate and Other Stories for Children, "ARSO," plain paper only, 69 pp.
1893, Japan Old and New: Exhibition of Figures Representing Life in Old and New Japan, plain paper, commissiond by the Japanese Government for sale at the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
1893, Charles & Susan Bowles, The Only Coodles, London, Simpkin, Marshall Hamilton, Kent & Co. - Yokohama, Kelly & Walsh - Tokyo, T. Hasegawa, (Hiyoshicho address), printed 12/12/93 Published 12/18/93, large format, 18.5 x 15.7 cm, 48pp. A book about the Bowles' favorite dog in Vermont. Quite a challenge for the Japanese artist to produce the illustrations. Reissued in 1895 under a slightly different name.
1893, Greetings from Far Cathay.
1894, Pitch and Toss or the Kurile Intelligencer with the additional wording on the cover - On the Northern Pacific Ocean January 20, 1894, Dedicated to Commander Marshall & the Officers of the Royal Mail Steamship "Empress of India" by the Editor & Staff of the "Pitch and Toss", T. Hasegawa 10 Hiyoshicho, Tokyo, colophon reads June 6, Meiji 27 (1894), 7 1/2 x 6 in, 36 pp with a few photos bound in. Very limited printing. Rare.
1894, Karl Florenz Dichtergrusse aus dem Osten, Japanische Dichtungen von K. Florenz, illustrated and printed by T. Hasegawa, Tokyo (10 Hiyoshi-cho and later addresses), distributed by C.F. Amelang's Verlag, Leipzig,, 1894 (Meiji 27)~ 1914 (Taisho 3), large 12 mo, large format for a Hasegawa book, (5 3/4 x 7 5/8 in - 14.6 x 19.4 cm), crepe paper, silk stab ties, 98 numbered pages, 51 folded pages - including the covers. Also published in English as Poetical Greetings from the Far East (see 1896, below). For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Dichtergrusse aus dem Osten" - 1912, 14th Thousand - Purchase Here ~~
1894, Mary G. Kimura, A Day with Mitsu, 12mo (6 1/2 x 7 1/2 in), 10 folded pages (includes front and back cover), crepe paper, two string ties, 16 numbered pages, 20 pages including the covers. Two types of front cover have been recorded. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "A Day with Mitsu" - Type I Cover - Purchase Here ~~
1894, Rudolph Dittrich, Nippon Gakufu (Six Japanese Popular Songs collected and arranged for the Pianoforte by Rudolph Dittrich), Leipzig, Brussel, London & New York, Breitkopf und H�rtel, Yokohama, J.G. Doering, "Sole Agent for Japan, China & Hong Kong," printed by T. Hasegawa, songs translated from Japenese into German and English.
1895, Japanese Pictures of Japanese Life, T. Hasegawa, 10 Hiyoshi-cho, first edition, 9 folded crepe paper pages, 18 pp. A reprint was published c1905 (see below). A book with the same title but different woodblock plates was published c1917 (see below also), For more information on this 1895, 1st edition, click here.
~~ Available - "Japanese Pictures of Japanese Life" - 1895 Ed - Purchase Here ~~
1895, Karl Florenz, Japanische Dichtungen. Weissaster. Ein Romantisches Epos, Nebst Anderen Gedichten, Frei Nachgebildet von Karl Florenz, T. Hasegawa, Tokyo (10 Hiyoshicho) and C.F. Amelang's Verlag, Leipzig, First Edition, 1895 (Meiji 28), folded crepe paper pages, large 12mo (5 3/4 x 7 1/2 x 3/4 (thick) in - 15.3 x 19 x 1 (thick) cm), German language, 2 page title page, 2 page dedication, 4 page forward, 80 numbered pages of text and 4 pages of notes. Some first editons are found with an insert correction folded sheet between pages 60~61. Composed of 47 folded pages (including 2 for the front and back covers). German language version of the White Aster. Later editions were pubished in 1897, 1905, 1907 & 1910. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Weissaster" - 1895 Edition - Purchase Here ~~
1895, Charles & Susan Bowles, King Coodles the Faithful, the 1893 book with a few new illustrations, large size, 51 pp. This book is a part of the "Red Cross Library Series" as the book below. To see the cover and title page, click here.
1895, Charles & Susan Bowles, A Nile Voyage, the second volume in "The Red Cross Library Series." A second edition was published in 1896 (Meiji 29). The first and second editions are on crepe paper and large 12mo (6 1/2 x 7 3/4 in), 73 pp and a 3 page appendix (unnumbered). In addition to color woodblocks the book contains a black and white collotype image (page 45, stone pillars). The illustrations are Egyptian subjects. Inside the front cover of the first edition (not second) is listed the address for the Red Cross Library as 21 Ashley Place, Westminster, London and notation that orders can be placed with T. Hasegawa, Tokyo, Shepheard's Hotel, Cairo and Fifth Ave Hotel, New York. The first edition has been examined with the imprint of Sampson and Low. The title page of the first edition and second editions list the complete title as A Nile Voyage of Recovery. You sometimes see the book listed with Discovery in the title but that appears to be an error. Perhaps the only Hasegawa book containing a collotype. I have seen the second edition with cloth covered hard covers (no spine covering however). For more information on the 2nd edition, click here.
c1895, A Few Words from T & T, (Tetsuka and Takeda), 5 x 6 1/2 in, 5 sheets of creped paper, color woodblock prints with typical images including a child playing with a samisen, lotus in a pond, a monkey eating, a flower arrangement, bonsai, and a snowscape. A private printing for the company that sold Japanese art pottery.
c1895, Leo Marescaux Le Japon des Enfants.
c1895, Calendar 1896, very small (2 1/4 x 2 3/8 in), spine covered, silk stab ties, spine covered, 14 folded crepe pages including the covers, 28 pp. Inside the front cover reads "H.B. Kendrick & Co., Objets d'Art, Japan, China, India. Los Angeles California - T. Hasegawa, 10 Hiyoshicho, Tokyo, Japan." The next page is a listing of the months and the theme for that month. The monthly calendars follow in succeding pages with calendar on the right page and a correcponding color woodblock illustration on the left page.
c1895, Kalender Fur Das Jarr 1896, very small, 6.2 x 6 cm.
1895~7, Paul Carus, Karma, A Story of Early Buddhism, illustrated and printed by T. Hasegawa for The Open Court Publishing Co., Chicago, �1894, 3rd edition (1897), 12mo (6 x 7 3/4 in - 15.2 x 19.8 cm), crepe paper, silk stab ties, spine covered, 12 folded pages - 24 pages total (including the covers). The illustrations for this book were produced by Kason Suzuki. The first edition of this book was printed on crepe paper and was published in December of 1895. It was 18 pages. The second edition was printed on both crepe and plain paper in 1896. The third edition was printed on crepe paper and published in late 1897. The third edition included revised illustrations and is a somewhat different book than the first and second edition. For more information on the third edition of the book, click here.
~~ Available - "Karma, 3rd Edition" (1897) - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "Karma, 3rd Edition" (1897) - Purchase Here ~~
1896, Benjamin Chappell, Glimpses of Japan, poems selected by Chappell, plain paper only.
1896, Emile Verhaeren Images Japonaises, Illustrations de Kwasson, Texte de Emile Verhaeren, Pubile par T. Hasegawa, 10 Hiyoshi-cho, Tokyo, plain paper, large format, French text, same images as in Glimpses of Japan, 30 pp. The book has also been reported with the 17 Kami Negishi address indication a printing of 1911 or later.
1896, K. Florenz, Scenes du Theatre Japonais, French text, hosho paper only, large format. A German text editon was published on crepe paper.
1896, Emily S. Patton, Japanese Topsyturvydom, T. Hasegawa, 1896 (Meiji 29), large size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, large 12mo (6 1/2 x 7 3/4 in - 16.3 x 19.5 cm), folded creped sheets, spine covered, string tied, 20 folded pages for a total of 40 pages (including covers). A unique Hasegawa published book in several aspects. Mrs. Patton expressly intended the book for the adult reader, rather than the children's book market, with the stated goal of freeing the readers of "narrow-minded prejudice" towards the Japanese. The 1896 printing carries the 10 Hiyoshi-cho Hasegawa address. A ca 1911 printing has been recorded with the 17 Kami-Negishi address. For more information on this book (1896 & ca 1911), click here.
1896, K. Florenz, translated by A. Lloyd, Poetical Greetings from the Far East, Japanese Poems from the German Adaption of Dr. Karl Florenz by A. Lloyd, M.A., crepe paper, 12mo, silk stab ties, 98 numbered pages, 52 folded pages - including the covers. At least two printings of this book have been recorded. One in 1896 (10 Hiyoshi-cho address) and another ca 1911 (17 Kami Negishi address). Both were issued with folding cases. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Poetical Greetings from the Far East" (1896) - Purchase Here ~~
1896, K. Florenz, Bunten Blatter, Japanischer Poesie von Karl Florenz, 10 Hiyoshicho, Tokyo, Japanese poems translated into German K. Florenz, illustrations by Kwasson & Shoso, large 12mo (17 x 20.7 cm), hard covers, 10 folded pages. Believed to have been published in Engish as Little Songs of Shade and Sunshine (see 1908, below). Reprints by "Y. Nishinomiya's Verlag," 17 Kami Negishi were published in 1936 and 1942.
1896, The Smiling Book, 17 x 22 cm.
c1896, Konni Zilliacus (translator), Japanesiska Sagor, three books translated into Swedish;Momotaro, Spariven med den Klippta Tungan and Bubben Och Trollen, 10 Hiyoshicho, Tokyo, marketed by Wentzel Hagelstam, F�rlag, Helsingfors (Helsinki). To see the front covers of these books, click here.
1897, Paul Carus, Nirvana, A Story of Buddhist Philosophy, illustrated and printed by T. Hasegawa (Kobunsha) for The Open Court Publishing Co., Chicago, large format 15.6 x 20.2 cm, �1896, crepe paper, with silk thread tied binding and double leaves folded Japanese style, 46 pp. The illustrations for this book were produced by Kason Suzuki. This book should not be confused with later American editions published in the early 20th Century. Those books are not crepe books and do not have the high quality wookblock images in this Hasegawa book. For more information on this book, click here.
1897, K. Florenz, translated by A. Lloyd, White Aster - A Japanese Epic, Together with Other Poems from the German Adaptation of Prof. Dr. Karl Florenz by A. Loyd, M.A., 82 numbered pages, 94 pages total. Sold in folding case. Publisher's advertisement inside back cover with the colophon. For more information, click here.
~~ Available - "White Aster" - Purchase Here ~~
1898, crepe paper catalogue produced for Kelly and Walsh listing the Hasegawa titles. Starting in 1885, Kelly and Walsh began marketing Hasegawa works and a long standing working relationship much like that with the Maruzen company developed.
1898, Wonderful Tea Kettle, Russian text. Appears to be the only Hasegawa book printed in Russian. Translated into Russian by Otohei Suzuki.
1898, Osman Edwards, Japanese Calendar with Verses, (Calendar for 1900 in book format), Meiji 31 (1898), Tokyo (10 Hiyoshicho), T. Hasegawa, carries the Breitkopf & Hartel imprint in the upper right corner of the front cover, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10 x 15 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, silk stab ties, 14 folded pages (including covers), 28 pages total. The calendar is also reported with the Breitkopf & Hartel imprint in the upper right corner of the front cover. An identical book, but with 1901 months, was produced (see below). For more information on this book, click here.
1898, Osman Edwards, Japanese Calendar with Verses, (Calendar for 1901 in book format), Meiji 31 (1898), Tokyo (10 Hiyoshicho), T. Hasegawa, "Publisher & Art-Printer," also carries the imprint of Brentano's, Union Square, New York, small size for a Hasegawa/Kobunsha book, small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10 x 15 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, silk stab ties, 14 folded pages (including covers), 28 pages total. The book is found with the text printed in red and with it printed in black. An identical book, but with 1900 months, was produced (see above). For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Calendar with Verses" - VG+, Red Text - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "Calendar with Verses" - VG, Black Text - Purchase Here ~~
1899, Osman Edwards, Residential Rhymes, Sympathecally Dedicated to Foreigners in Japan, Tokyo, T. Hasegawa, Meiji 32 (1899), 8vo (7 5/8 x 10 in - 19.3 x 25.3 cm), very large for a Hasegawa book, creped paper in folded sheets, spine covered, ribbon tied, 22 pages (11 folded pages) including the covers. The book is composed of eight poems, each dedicated to a particular facet of the foreigners' life in Japan. The poems are richly illustrated with related images. The only Hasegawa published book that deals specifically with the foreign community and Westerners in Meiji era Japan. For more information on this book, click here.
1899, Jules Adam, French book translated into English by Osman Edwards, Japanese Story-Tellers from the French of Jules Adams By Osman Edwards, Published by T. Hasegawa, Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo (10 Hiyoshicho), Meiji 32 (1899), 12mo (5 1/2 x 7 5/8 in - 14 x 19.2 cm), medium size for a Hasegawa book, crepe paper in folded sheets, silk stab ties, spine covered, 32 pages (16 folded pages) including the covers. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Japanese Story-Tellers" - Purchase Here ~~
1899, Jules Adam, Au Japon. Les Reconteurs Publics Par Jules Adam, Publics par T. Hasegawa, Tokio, Japon, Tokyo (10 Hiyoshicho), T. Hasegawa, Meiji 32 (1899), 12mo (5 5/8 x 7 1/8 in - 14.4 x 18.3 cm), medium size for a Hasegawa book, creped paper in folded sheets, spine covered, silk stab ties, French text, 32 pages (16 folded pages) including the covers. This book was translated into English by Osman Edwards (Japanese Story-Tellers, From the French of Jules Adam, 1899). For more information on this book, click here.
1900, Sc�nes du Th��tre Japonais, L'Ecole de Village (Terakoya), Drame historique en un acte, Tokyo, T. Hasegawa, 1900, translation by Karl Florenz, illustrations by Yoshimune Arai, stiff illustrated wraps with gilt lettering and string ties (Yotsume toji binding style ), color woodblock illustrated dust jacket, plain paper, 8vo (8 1/2 x 11 in), 25 folded sheets, 50 pp. Color woodblocks printed on Honsho paper (not crepe paper), woodblock printed wraps. Contains notes and illustrations of the Japanese stage and depicts scenes from the historical tragedy "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami" (Sugawara and the Secrets of Calligraphy). This is a "deluxe" Hasegawa publication that was published in time for the Universal Exposition of 1900 which was held in Paris. Came with an illustrated folding box. This book is posted on-line here.
1900, Karl Florenz, Japanische Dramen: Terakoya u. Asagao, Tokyo, T. Hasegawa & Leipzig, C. F. Amelang, 1900-c1914, at least 7 editions, 12mo, crepe paper, 52 folded pages, 104 pp. For more information on the 6th & 7th editions (c1911 & 1914), click here.
1900, Benjamin Chappell, "Unto the Last" - The Tokyo Home for Ex-Convicts, Methodist Publishing House, Aoyama, Tokyo, and T. Hasegawa, undated but ca 1900, folded color woodblock printed crepe paper front and back covers, spine not covered, silk tied, folded plain paper text pages, plates in halftone on single sheets with back side blank, large 18mo (4 3/4 x 7 in - 12 x 18 cm), 12 plates (three span 2 pages), 28 numbered text pages. The forward is dated March 16, 1900. For more information on this book click, here.
1900, Catalogue of Japanese Lily-Bulbs, Iris, Peonies, and Other Japanese Flower Roots, Seeds and General Nursery Stock, catalogue published by T. Hasegawa, for L. Boehmer and Company. Aslo see 1908, below.
1900, The Months of Japanese Children, Calendar for 1902, Tokyo (10 Hiyoshi-cho, Kyobashi-ku), small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.2 x 15 cm), small size for a Hasegawa book, calendar published in a book form, 8 folded crepe paper pages, 16 pages total including covers. For more information on this publication, click here.
1900, Monthly Changes of Japanese Street Scenes, Calendar for 1901, 14 folded pages, 28 pages (including covers). For information on the 3rd edition, click here (Internet Archive).
c1900, Dawn of the Century, Calendar for 1901, published by T. Hasegawa, small size (3 x 4 1/4 in) for a Hasegawa book, calendar published in a book form, 16 pp.
1901, Monthly Changes of Japanese Street Scenes, Calendar for 1902, 12mo (5 1/2 x 7 1/2 in - 13.9 x 19.2 cm), large size for a Hasegawa book, calendar published in a book form, 14 folded crepe paper pages, 28 pages total including covers. For more information on this publication, click here.
1901, Osman Edwards, Japanese Calendar with Verses (1901), T. Hasegawa, 14 pp with one page for each month.
1901, Mary E. Unger, The Favorite Flowers of Japan, Yokohama, 1901, paper over boards cover, 8vo, 44 color woodblock illustrations of flowers and plants in numbered pages, 59 pp (63 pp ??). See 1906, below, for the second edition.
c1901, Floral Pets of the East, Calendar for 1902, T. Hasegawa.
c1901, The Landscapes of Japan - Calendar for the Year 1902, T. Hasegawa.
c1901-c1926, Hasegawa wood block illustrated calendars, 12 double leaved crepe-paper pages bound as the above books, with an woodblock print illustrated calendar for each month, generally 10 x 14~15 cm but sometimes much smaller (5.5+ x 6+ cm). The calendar usually carry a title indicative of the theme of the woodblock prints presented. Also issued in 10 page versions. For more information on Hasegawa calendars, see below.
1902, Jules Adam, Au Japon: Les Douze Mois De L'Anne.
1902, Rhymes & Life Scenes of Japan. Calendar for 1903., T. Hasegawa Publisher & Art Printer, Tokyo (20 Honzaimoko-cho), Meiji 35 (1902), calendar published in book form, spine covered, silk stab ties, 10.2 x 15.1 cm, 14 folded crepe paper pages (including the covers), 28 pages total. For more information on this book, click here.
c1902, Almanak voor 1903, Dutch language calendar.
1903, Calendar for 1904, T. Hasegawa, Tokyo (38 Yotsuya Honmura, Tokyo) and Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co., London, 1903, small 16mo (4 5/8 x 6 1/2 in - 10 x 14 cm), small size for a Hasegawa book, calendar published in a book form, spine covered, silk stab ties, 8 folded crepe paper pages, 16 pages total including covers. For more information on this book, click here.
1903, The Months of Japanese Ladies for 1904, T. Hasegawa, Tokyo (38 Yotsuya Hommura) and Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co., London, calendar published in a book form, small 12mo (5 x 7 in - 12.8 x 18 cm), medium size for a Hasegawa book, silk stab ties, spine covered, 13 folded crepe paper pages, 26 pages total including covers. Each month is represented by a color woodblock print that spans the page on the left and across onto the page on the facing page (page on right). For more information on this book, click here.
1903, Monthly Changes of Japanese Street-Scenes, Calendar for 1904, Tokyo (38 Yotsuya Hommura) calendar published in a book form, 12mo (5 1/2 x 7 1/2 in - 13.6 x 19 cm), medium size for a Hasegawa book, silk stab ties, spine covered, 14 folded crepe paper pages, 28 pages total including covers. Each month is represented by a color woodblock print that spans the page on the left and across the facing page (page on right). For more information on this book, click here.
c1903, Fourth Edition, Mary Unger, Catalogue of Japanese Plants, Bulbs, and Seeds, catalogue published by T. Hasegawa, for the L. Boehmer and Company, pictorial paper covered boards, large 8vo (18 x 24 cm), folded leaves, ca 40 color illstrations, 70 pp.
1904, A Collection of Hiroshige's Masterpieces, T. Hasegawa, large 12mo (5 3/4 x 8 in - 14.5 x 20.6 cm), 8 folded pages (includes front and back cover), string tied, high quality tannish hosho paper folded over stiffener paper, 12 pp. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Collection of Hiroshige's Masterpieces" - 1904 Edition - Purchase Here ~~
1904, Monthly Changes of Japanese Street Scenes, Calendar for 1905, 12mo (5 1/2 x 7 1/2 in - 13.9 x 19.2 cm), large size for a Hasegawa book, calendar published in a book form, 14 folded crepe paper pages, 28 pages total including covers. For more information on this publication, click here.
1904, The Landscapes of Tokyo, Calendar 1905, square/large 16mo (4 1/2 x 4 1/2 in - 14 x 14 cm), medium size for a Hasegawa publication, calendar published in a book form, 8 folded crepe paper pages, 16 pages total including covers. For more information on this publication, click here.
1904, Lafcadio Hearn, dies in Japan. Hearn contributed manuscripts for Hasegawa books. Before his death, four were published (The Boy Who Drew Cats (1st Series, #23), The Old Woman Who Lost Her Dumpling (1st Series, #24), Chin Chin Kobakama (1st Series, #25) and The Goblin Spider (2nd Series, #1). It would be 16 years before the fifth, and last, Hearn translated book (The Fountain of Youth) was be published.
c1904, Electric Messages Calendar 1905, Electric Messages from Japan, A monthly Holiness Missionary Journal, 3 x 4 in, printed and published by T. Hasegawa, 8 folded pages.
1905, Hair-Pin Calendar for 1906, square 16mo (5 3/8 x 5 3/8 in - 13.8 x 13.8 cm), unusual format (square) for a Hasegawa book, calendar published in a book form, crepe paper, single silk tie, 8 folded pages, 16 pages total including covers. While the book is square, it is printed and tied to be read in a diamond format (cocked 45 degrees up and tied in the lower left corner). Because of the format, the folded (unseperated) edge on each page is the upper right edge. The first page is an introduction. The next 12 pages each contain a one month calendar and woodblock illustrations applicable to that month and the associated hair-pin. For more information on this publication, click here.
1905, Julia D. Carrothers, Japan's Year, Illustrated by Japanese Artists, three single sheet crepe paper woodblock prints and the balance of the book is folded non-crepe paper, 8vo, gold silk brocade cloth, silk ties, 76 pp. The three single sheet crepe woodblock illustrations are not included in the numbered pages of 76. A majority of the pages have woodblock prints (16 full page and 22 partial page). Pages 74-76 are a listing of T. Hasegawa books. An unusual Hasegawa book because it contains color woodblock prints on crepe and non-crepe paper. A very fragile book and the covers are often detached, repaired or replaced.
c1905, Japanese Pictures of Japanese Life, T. Hasegawa, 38 Honmura-cho, 12mo, 9 folded crepe paper pages (including front and back cover), double string ties, reprint, 18 pp. The 38 Honmura-cho address for Hasegawa is printed at the bottom of the back cover. The colophon still carries the 10 Hiyoshi-cho address. The first edition of this book was published in 1895 (see above). A book with the same title but different woodblock plates was published c1917 (see below). For more information on this c1905, reprint, click here.
~~ Available - "Japanese Pictures of Japanese Life" - c1905 Ed - Purchase Here ~~
1905, Monthly Changes of Japanese Street-Scenes, Calendar for 1906, 20 cm, 24 pp.
c1905, Selections from Hokusai's Views of Mount Fuji, Tokyo, T. Hasegawa, c1905, large 12mo (5 3/4 x 8 in - 14.5 x 20.6 cm), 8 double fold pages (includes front and back cover), high quality tannish hosho paper folded over stiffener paper, one string tie, 12 pp. Twelve pages of color woodblock reproductions of Hokusai's works. Sometimes sold in a wooden box. For more information on this book, click here.
c1905, Masterpieces by Hiroshige, Collection II, T. Hasegawa, no colophon, large 12mo (5 3/4 x 8 in - 14.5 x 20.6 cm), 8 double fold pages (includes front and back cover), high quality tannish hosho paper folded over stiffener paper, 12 pp. For more information on this book, click here.
1906, Mary E. Unger, The Favorite Flowers of Japan, Second Edition, Tokyo (38 Yotsuya Hommura), T. Hasegawa, 1906 (Meiji 39.5.10), large 8vo (7 1/8 x 9 5/8 in - 18 x 24.5 cm), paper over boardswith color woodblock illustrations front and back, folded hosho paper, 59 pp. Inside the front cover is a full page color woodblock of a Japanese garden. Each of the folded pages has been glued together along the left edge. The book is composed of 35 folded pages of high quality hosho paper and 2 single pages which are affixed to the back of the front and back covers. In total, there are 72 pages of hosho paper. Of this total, 51 pages have color woodblock illustrations which range from a small vignette to large full page illustrations. Some illustrations carry across onto the next page. Of the numbered pages (1-59), 44 have color woodblock prints. The numbered pages are followed by a one page advertisement for L. Bohmer & Co, Yokohama, a one page colophon and two pages of advertisements ("abridged list") for T. Hasegawa publications. This book is noted for the bonsai or "dwarf tree" illustrations that it contains. Mary Elizabeth Unger and her husband, Alfred, purchased the Boehmer Nursery in 1890 from it's founder, Louis Boehmer, shortly after they arrived in Japan. This book was an innovative marketing method that they implemented in order to expand the international customer base. For more information on this book, click here.
c1907, Japanese Street Scenes, Calendar for 1908, calendar in book format, crepe paper, 12mo (5 1/2 x 7 1/2 in), medium size for a Hasegawa book, spine covered with linen type tape which extends onto the covers, 26 pp (including the covers). Each monthly calendar is presented within a continuous woodblock print that spans the two facing pages. The book is not in the typical folded page format. Rather, the outside edges of adjoining pages are affixed. This is the same format as the Sword and Blossom books (see below). The book has been reported accompanied by a 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 in woodblock illustrated thick plain paper card which probably was intended to accompany the calendar and include notes or inscriptions of a personal nature. To see the front cover and representative pages, click here.
c1907, Calendar set for 1908. Not in book format. Each month is on a sperate piece with a small fold-over type holder. To see this calendar set, click here.
1907~1910, Shotaro Kimura and Charlotte M. A. Peake, Sword and Blossom: Poems from the Japanese, T. Hasegawa, Tokyo, 118 pages with woodblock color illustrations, large 16mo (5 x 7 1/4 in - 12.5 x 18 cm), crepe over padded board covers, hosho paper (high quality paper) pages, 3 volume set. The "Blossom" poems are short unrhymed verse known as Tanka which date from ca 900 AD. The "Sword" poems are Chinese poems by Japanese writers from a more modern time. The 3rd volume also contains a section of "Love" poems which were also written pre-10th Century. . The first volume of this three book series was first published in 1907 (32 pp). A second printing of the first volume was made in 1909. The second volume was first published in 1908 in regular and deluxe formats (34 pp). The third volume was first published in 1910 (52 pp). The three books were also marketed in 1910-11 period as a set and sold in a padded folding box (generally dark blue with "Sword and Blossom Poems" in silver on the spine of the case and with ivory clasps). To see this case, click here. The set was also marketed in a plain unpadded blue folding case with ivory clasps with no lettering. To see this case, click here.
For more information on Vol I (1st & 2nd ed) of the 3 volume set , click here.
For more information on Vol II of the 3 volume set , click here.
For more information on Vol III of the 3 volume set , click here.
~ Available - "Sword & Blossom Poems" (Vol I, II & III, 38 Yotsuya Hommura Address) - Purchase Here ~
~ Available - "Sword & Blossom Poems" (Vol I, II & III, 17 Kami Negishi Address) - Purchase Here ~
~ Available - "Sword & Blossom Poems" (Vol I of 3, 2nd ed) - Purchase Here ~
~ Available - "Sword & Blossom Poems" (Vol II of 3) - Purchase Here ~
~ Available - "Sword & Blossom Poems" (Vol III of 3) - Purchase Here ~
German Language Versions. 1914~1925, Manfred Schneider, Blueten und Schwert Lieder (cover), Blueten und Schwerter Lieder Nachdichtunsen, Japanischer Lieder von Manfred Schneider, Buchschmuck von Japanischen Kunstlern (title page), T. Hasegawa, Tokyo, 17 Kamai Negishi address, 3 volumes each numbered on the title page. Covers (padded and illustrated) as in the English language versions. Volume 1: Taisho 3 (1914) or Taisho 11 (1922), Volume 2: Taisho 10 (1921) & Volume 3: Taisho 14 (1925).
For more information on Vol I of the 3 volume set , click here.
~ Available - "Blueten und Schwert Lieder" (Vol I of 3) - Purchase Here ~
1908, G.J., illustrated by Kwasson A. Shoso, Little Songs of Shade and Sunshine, Tokyo, Hasegawa (38 Yotsuya Hommura), 2nd printing, large 12mo (6 1/2 x 8 in - 16.5 x 20.1 cm), 10 double fold pages of tannish hosho paper, 20 pp. Book of Japanese poems and songs. Perhaps an English language version of the German language book Bunte Blatter: Japanische Poesie (see 1896, above). For more information on this book, click here.
~ Available - "Shade & Sunshine" (Reading/Reference Copy) - Purchase Here ~
c1908, L. Boehmer & Co�s Catalogue (Cover) - Catalogue of Japanese Plants, Bulbs and Seeds (Title Page), 4th edition, catalogue published by T. Hasegawa, for L. Boehmer and Company, pictorial paper covered boards , plain paper, 42 color woodblock illustrations, 70 pp.
c1908, Twelve Scenes by Moonlight - Calendar for 1909, Hasegawa, 5 1/2 in square.
c1909, Street Scenes of Old Japan - Calendar for 1910, 12mo (5 1/2 x 7 1/2 in - 14 x 19.2 cm), spine covered, medium size for a Hasegawa book, silk stab ties, 13 folded crepe paper pages, 26 pages total including covers. For more information on this publication, click here.
1910, Great Masters of Ukiyoe, Calendar for 1911, large 18mo (7 3/8 x 4 7/8 in - 18.8 x 12.3 cm), medium size for a Hasegawa book, calendar published in a book form, plain paper, 5 folded pages, 10 pages total including covers. For more information on this publication, click here.
c1910, Karl Florenz, Japanische Dichtungen, Dichter-Grusse aus Dem Osten Florenz, T. Hasegawa, 38 Yotsuya Hommura, Tokyo, 93 pp. Several editions. the latest I have seen was the 14th edition, 1912.
c1910, creped advertising brochure for H.B. Kendrick & Co, Los Angeles, 4 pp.
c1910, Calendar for 1911, Shimbi Shoin, Tokyo, c1910, 32mo (3 5/8 x 5 1/4 in - 9.2 x 13 cm), folded crepe pages, silk string tied, 10 pages (5 folded pages) including the covers. All pages except the back cover have color woodblock prints. The calendars are presented two months per page. For more information on this item, click here. According to Frederic A. Sharf, T. Hasegawa produced a series of 1911 calendars for the Shimbi Shoin.
1911, Mary E. Unger, The Favorite Flowers of Japan, Hasegawa, Tokyo (17 Kami Negishi), 8vo (7 1/8 x 9 5/8 in), bound in stiff boards covered with cloth textured woodblock illustration, rice paper covering on the spine, 29 color woodblock prints of flowers and a map of the Japanese Empire, 59 pp. Printed on high quality handmade paper (not creped). Reported with a folding case. A later edition of the book, also on plain paper, was published in 1935.
1912, Benjamin Chappell, Moonlight Scenes of Japan, published by T. Hasegawa, illustrations and paper ??.
1914, A Collection of Hiroshige's Masterpieces: Collection III, Tokyo, T. Hasegawa, large 12mo (5 3/4 x 8 in - 14.5 x 20.6 cm), 8 double fold pages (includes front and back cover), high quality tannish hosho paper folded over stiffener paper, 12 pp. For more information on this book, click here.
1914, Selections from Hokusai: Collection II.
c1914, Charlotte M.A. Peake, Scattered Blossoms: Japanese Poems. The same material was released as a calendar in 1916.
c1914, Street Scenes of Old Japan - Calendar for 1915.
c1917, Japanese Pictures of Japanese Life, T. Hasegawa, 10 folded crepe pages, 20 pp. Two books with the same title (different contents) were first published in 1895 and 1905. For more information on this book, click here.
c1921, hanging Calendar for 1922, T. Hasegawa, 17 Kami Negishi, Tokyo, 12 3/4 x 6 1/2 in - 32.6 x 16.6 cm overall size, a single tipped on woodblock print (8 1/8 x 4 3/4 in - 20.6 x 12.2 cm) bordered in gold. The woodblock reproduces "Three Ladies on a Beach" by Fujimaro Kitagawa (1790-1850). The small monthly calendars are match box size (2 3/4 x 1 1/2 in - 6.7 x 4 cm) and are tipped to one another with a cover reading "Calendar for 1922." There is a large dark blue hanging tie which ends in a tassel over the woodblock. For more information on this calendar, click here.
1922, Evaleen Stein, Little Poems from Japanese Anthologies, Rendered into English Verse by Evaleen Stein, Illustrated by Japanese Artists, Tokyo (Kami Negishi), colophon dated Teisho 11 (1922), small 12mo (5 x 7 in - 12.5 x 18 cm), padded color woodblock illustrated crepe over hard boards, bound Western style with no stab ties, internal pages plain (hosho) paper, printed on one side only with outside edges of adjoining pages glued together, spine covered, 36 pages (includes title page and blank page at the end. The poems presented are taken from two Japanese anthologies, the Manyoshiu and Kokinshiu, from the ninth and tenth centuries. For more information on this book, click here.
1922, Hearn, Lafcaido,The Fountain of Youth - Japanese Fairy Tale, large 12mo (5 1/2 x 7 1/2 in - 14 x 19.5 cm), 9 folded pages (including front and back cover), crepe paper, two silk stab ties, 18 pages total including the covers. Other printings include 1925 and 1930. For more information on this book, and the 1925 printing in specific, click here.
~~ Available - "The Fountain of Youth" (1925 Printing) - Purchase Here ~~
c1922. In a c1922 catalogue of books and prints by the Hasegawa Publishing Company, the following were offered in the book section under the heading of "Albums."
All in the Original Size and Color
- The Eight Views in the Suburbs of Yedo by Hiroshige $15.00
- The Eight Views of Omi by Hiroshige $15.00
- Selections from the Views around Mount Fuji by Hokusai $15.00
- Selections from the Views on the Kisokaido by Hiroshige $15.00
- Selections from the Famous Hundred Sights of Yedo by Hiroshige $15.00
- Selections from the ... Places in Home Provinces by Hiroshige $15.00
- A Collection of the Masterpieces by Utamaro, Eishi etc. $25.00
- Fifty-five Views along the Tokaido Road by Hiroshige $50.00
1930/31, Lafcadio Hearn, Japanese Fairy Tales, T. Hasegawa, marketed by Macrae-Smith Co, Philadelphia, folding case set of Hearn's 5 Japanese Fairy Tale books.
1931, Leo Marescaux, Life Scenes of Japan Text by Leo Marescaux, Tokyo (17 Kami Negishi), T. Hasegawa, Publisher & Art Printer, Showa 6 (1931), crepe paper, 14 folded pages, 28 pp. For more information on this book, click here.
1936, Leo Marescaux, La Japon Des Enfants, Showa 11 (1936), 20 cm.
ca 1940, Process of Wood-block Printing, Tokyo, Nishinomiya & Hasegawa, Inc., 12mo (7 1/8 x 5 in - 18 x 12.5 cm), not dated but believed to be ca 1940, decorative cloth cover, horizontal format with pages bound in foldout (accordion) style, 30 pages total. This book provides step by step illustrations of the creation of a color woodblock print. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Process of Wood-block Printing" - Purchase Here ~~
Post-1940. Very few Hasegawa books are seen that can positively be identified to the post-1940 period. A very very small (ca 5 x 4 cm) crepe book type calendar for 1960 with the Hasegawa imprint has been confirmed. There is evidence that Nishinomiya, and then his son, continued to produce individual woodblock prints from the famous Hasegawa's Night Scenes series of prints for many years (perhaps even today).
??, Koto Okura The Russo-Japanese War, Hasegawa, unusually large format (8 x 12 in), 14 pp.
??, crepe advertising brochure for A.A. Vantine & Co of NY, 6 pp.

Nishinomiya Prints. 1918//????, Hasegawa's Night Scenes Series. Hasegawa, under the Nishinomiya imprint/seal, marketed 21 different night scenes woodcuts printed primarily in blue and black inks. These "chuban-sized" prints (each about 7 1/4 x 10 inches) are often characterized as reflecting the essence of prints of the early "shin-hanga" era of Japanese print-making. Information (with pictures) on these prints can be found here. While these prints may carry seals such as Hiroshige, they are actually reproductions of the original art created by artists for the Nishinomiya firm. Apparently these prints are currently being replicated and offered on the market. For the seals and inscriptions used by Hasegawa and Nishinomiya on art prints, I recommend you consult this site

Hasegawa Calendars. Hasegawa produced a large number of calendars, both crepe and regular paper. His first calendar was a small one produced in 1894. By 1897 the Hasegawa calendar had developed into a format very similar to the crepe books. The book type calendars had front and back covers and were string tied. A theme was carried throughout the calendar in the illustrations and accompanying text. Each month was normally on a separate page. Wenckstern notes the following for 1906 alone:

Book Form on Crepe Paper (unless noted otherwise). In the later years these calendars were printed in a very small format (ca 2 1/2 x 3 in). To see an example of such a calendar from 1907, click here.

Monthly Changes of Japanese Street Scenes
Calendar with Little Selections of Old Prints (regular paper)
The Months of Japanese Children
Hairpin Calendar for 1906
Japanese Towels
Japanese Sceneries (in different sizes)

Hanging Calendars.

The Months of Japanese Ladies
Hiroshige's Masterpieces in "Kakemono"
The Favorite Flowers of Japan
Japanese Sceneries in "Kakemono"
Hiroshige's Masterpiece
The Silhouettes in "Kakemono"
Japanese Towels
Pagoda
The Tower of Nagoya Castle

Non-Traditional Format Calendars. Hasegawa's calendars were often innovative and not necessarily in a traditional book format. Hasegawa calendars for the following years are reported in shapes corresponding to the theme.

1905 - Japanese Towels (6.5 x 25 cm)
1910 - Each month on separate sheet with folding holder, plain paper
1933 - Lucky Bag - padded crepe-paper covers (9 x 15 cm)
1937 - Lucky Shell - padded crepe-paper covers (9 x 12 cm)
1939 - Lucky Hare - padded crepe-paper covers (9 x 13 cm)

Hasegawa Post Cards. Hasegawa also produced color woodblock illustrated post cards. These can be identified by the initials "T.H." which is usually found at the bottom. These cards usually have a descriptive caption in English.

Similar Crepe Paper Color Woodblock Print Books
(Not Hasegawa)

1893, Forty Seven Ronin, Yokohama, Kelly & Walsh, colophon dated Meiji 26 (1893), small 16mo (4 1/2 x 6 1/4 in - 11.5 x 16 cm), folded crepe paper pages, red string stab ties, spine covered only at top and bottom (ca 2 cm), text in English, large full page fold-out wood-cut printed on one side only (3 folds out 1 fold up - 9 x 13 in - 23.4 x 33.8 cm), 36 folded pages (including covers), 73 pages total. A similar book has been reported. That book (36 crepe sheets - 72 pp + one page folding woodblock) dated Meiji 40 (1908) was attributed to T. Hasegawa with the art attributed to Yoshimune. For more information on the 1893 book, click here.

Other Editions:

1907 & 1910. A book with the same title and same images was printed and published in 1907 (Meiji 40) and reprinted and distributed in 1910 (Meiji 43). The 1910 reprint is plain paper. To see the cover and colphon of the 1910 reprinted book here.

1894, The Rokkasen: The Illustrated Poems by the Six Poetical Geniuses, Yokohama, published by Akiyama Aisaburo, Z. P. Maruya, sole agent, oblong format, 25.5 x 18.5 cm, 9 folded pages, 10 full page color woodblock prints, 18 pp.

1894, Choix de Fables de La Fontaine, Illustree par un Groupe des Meilleurs Artistes de Tokio, Sous la Direction of P. Barboutau, 2 volumes (tomes), Tokyo, Imprimerie de Tsoukidji-Tokio, S. Magata, Directeur, Meiji 27 (1894), 8vo (7 1/4 x 9 7/8 in - 18.5 x 25.1 cm), plain paper in folded sheets, spine covered, silk string ties (two crossed at the top and two crossed at the bottom). Volume 1 has 54 pages (27 folded pages) total including covers. Each volume is richly illustrated with 14 color woodblocks that span two adjacent pages. The book was issued in two types of plain paper and in crepe paper. The plain paper being larger in size than the crepe. The plain paper books were issued numbered (Nos. 1-350) and unnumbered. For more information on an unnumbered plain paper volume 1, click here.

1895, Fables Choisies de Florian. De J.-P. Claris, De Florian, Illustree Par Des Artistes Japonais Sous La Direction De P. Barboutau, Tokio, Volumes 1 & 2, Paris, Librairie Marpon & Flammarion, E. Flammarion Succ., "Imprime par la compagnie de Shueisha a Tokio," 2 volumes (tomes), Meiji 28 (1895), small 8vo (6 x 8 in - 15 x 20.1 cm), crepe paper (Ho-sho) in folded sheets, spine covered, silk string ties, text in French, 56 pages total (each volume) including the covers (28 folded pages). In each volume there are 24 numbered pages of text and fourteen double page color woodblock prints. The fourteen double page plates (28 pp) and the front and back covers (4 pages) are not numbered. The front covers are a single page color woodblock print. The cover woodblock print and the 14 internal double page woodblock prints all have the artist's seal (han). In total the two books contain 112 pages which include 28 double page color woodblock prints and 48 numbered pages of text. There are 38 (18 in volume 1 and 20 in volume 2) small text type black and white woodcut illustrations of birds, animals and plants interspersed throughout the book. Both this version and the plain paper version (see next below) are designated as "Exemplaires de Luxe." This version has a limitation statement of 200 copies. For more information on this set, click here.
~~ Available - "Fables Choisies de Florian, Volume 1 & 2," Crepe Paper - Purchase Here ~~
~~ Available - "Fables Choisies de Florian, Volume 1 (Rebound)," Crepe Paper - Purchase Here ~~

1895, Fables Choisies de Florian. De J.-P. Claris, De Florian, Illustree Par Des Artistes Japonais Sous La Direction De P. Barboutau, Tokio, Volumes 1 & 2, Paris, Librairie Marpon & Flammarion, E. Flammarion Succ., "Imprime par la compagnie de Shueisha a Tokio," 2 volumes (tomes) generally found bound together into one book, western style (horizontal format, no string ties), plain paper (Tori-noko), Meiji 28 (1895), 8vo (24 x 33.5 cm), hard boards with decorative covering and paste on label, text in French, 30 full page color wood block prints, 72 pages. This version has a limitation statement of 190 copies. The fables and illustrations are different from those found in the crepe paper version.

1895, Okada Matsuo, The Japanese Months with Illustrations, Vol I & II, stated Second Edition, The Kokubunsha, Tokyo, 1895. Colophon indicates a printing date of 1894 (Meiji 27) so perhaps that is when the first edition was printed. For more information on this set, click here. Essentially the same book was published in 1894 without the Kokubunsha imprint. To see volume II from this set which was designated "Fourth Edition," click here. For a side by side comparison of Vol II of the "Second" and "Fourth" editions, click here. In 1980 the Toyodo published a plain paper facsimile edition of a book with the same title bearing the The Toyodo imprint dated 1898, 56 pages and stated "Third Edition."

1895, Scenes from the Japan-China War, "Text by Jukichi Inouye; Illustrations by Eiki Yamamoto, Published by Shobei Inaba (No. 2 Fukiyacho, Nihonbashi-ku, Tokyo, Printed at Tokyo-Seishi-Bunsha," Meiji 28 (1895), 20 x 27 cm, crepe paper, 16 folded pages (including the covers). To see the front cover, title page and colophon, click here.

ca 1895, S.L.G., "My Japanese" A Topical Song of Japan, Words and Music by S.L.G., Yokohama, Kelly & Walsh, c1895, small 8vo (6 1/2 x 8 1/4 in - 16.6 x 20.9 cm), English language, string tied, double fold crepe paper, color woodblocks on all pages, 20 pages (10 double fold pages) including covers. The book is a tribute, in song and verse, to the Japanese language. S.L.G is believed to be Sidney L. Gulick, an American minister living in Japan at the time. For more information on this book, click here.

ca 1896, Musical Japan by Miss Dulcie Harmony, published by Akiyama Aisaburo, Tokio, distributed by Kelly & Walsh, 9 full page color woodblock prints, oblong format, 7 x 9 1/2 in, 16 pp.

1896, Floral Japan by Miss Flora Sweet, Meiji 29, 8 x 10 in, published by Akiyama Aisaburo, No. 16, Sakurada, Hongo-cho, Shibi, Tokio, Japan, folded crepe pages, string tied, 10 full page color woodblock plates and color woodblock illustrations on the front and back covers. This may be the third printing. "Miss Flora Sweet" is stated on the title page but not on the cover.

1896, Ceremonial Japan by Miss Dolly Belle, published by Akiyama Aisaburo, Tokyo, Meiji 29 (1896).3.23, large 8vo (9 3/4 x 7 1/4 in - 24.5 x 18 cm), unpaginated, folded crepe pages, 9 folded pages (including front and back cover), 10 full page color woodblocks (includes covers), string tied, 18 pages total. For more information on this book, click here.

1904, The Russo-Japanese War, published by Hasegawa Sonokichi, Tokyo.

ca 1908, Calendar for 1908, Tokyo, Isekin & Co., c1908, 48mo (3 x 3 1/2 in - 7.5 x 9 cm), folded crepe paper, color woodblock illustration on all pages, string ties, spine covered, 16 pages (8 folded) including front and back covers. The imprint on the back cover reads "Manufactured by Isekin & Co., Nihonbashiku, Tokyo, Japan." For more information on this book, click here.

1910, Japanese Proverbs and Pictures, Frederick Starr, Tokyo, H. Hattori, illustrations by Tosen Toda, 7 1/8 x 7 1/8 in, 50 color woodblock prints on crepe paper, 56 pp.

ca 1910, Japanese Children, Okada Matsuo, Tokyo, published by The Toyodo. Bound accordion style. 10 double page color woodblock plates.

ca 1930, Hokusai's Views of Mount Fuji, title in Japanese on front cover, c1930, 12mo (5 3/8 x 7 1/2 in - 13.8 x 19.2 cm), straw type textured covers, accordion style binding, 12 color woodblock prints on crepe paper reproducing views from Hokusai's famous Ukiyo-e series known as "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji." Each color woodblock is 10 3/4 x 7 1/2 in - 27.5 x 19.2 cm. The introduction is in English and each woodblock has Japanese and English captions. Consistent with an accordion style books, the prints are folded in the middle and affixed at the right and left edge. Stiffer paper is used between the woodblocks. The entire book folded out to make a continuous 10+ foot panorama of the woodblock prints. For more information on this book, click here.

??, Japanese Customs from Ancient to Modern (2 volumes), published by Akiyama Aisaburo, Tokio.

??, The Story of Hana Sakashijiji, published by Akiyama Aisaburo, Tokio, only cover in color, 44 pp.

??, Pocket Guide for the Land of the Rising Sun, published by Akiyama Aisaburo, Tokio, 34 pp.

Other Similar Books

1887, The Japanese Months, Vols 1 & 2, Fourth Edition, Okada Massao, F. Ashisuke, Tokyo 1887), large 12mo (5 1/4 x 7 1/2 in), rice paper in folded leaves, printed on one side of the folded leaves, silk ties, 19 pages of text, 9 illustrations. Not to be confused with the Kokubunsha two volume set with the same title.

1898, The "Soshi-Bushi" (Japanese Soshis' Song), Words and Illustrations by Yonejiro Suzuki, with Pianoforte Accompaniment, Tokyo, Jujiya & Co, No. 2, Sanchome, Ginza, Tokyo, Meiji 31 (1898), oblong 8vo (8 x 9 1/2 in - 20 x 24 cm), crepe paper, folded pages, silk ties, spine covered, text in English, 26 pages (13 folded pages) including the covers. The title page states: "N.B. The Illustrations to this work obtained a First-class Award at the Fine Art Exhibition (Chokokwai) held in Uyeno Park, Tokyo, September, 1897." The book starts with a two page preface which describes the "Soshi" class in Japan. This is followed by three pages of musical scores with words. These are followed by six chapters of additional stanza. Each page in the book with color woodblock illustrations. For more information on this book, click here.
~~ Available - "Soshi-Bushi" - Purchase Here ~~

1900, The Old Tale of Bubuku Chagama, crepe paper, 3 7/8 x 5 5/8 in, front cover has color woodblock illustration, internal woodblocks black and white. Printed Meiji 32 (1899). Published Meiji 33 (1900)

c1900, The Story of Kintaro, plain paper, 4 x 6 in.

Similar Non-Crepe Paper Color Woodblock Print Fairy Tale Books
Nisseikwan Japanese Tales Series #1~#4

#1. 1887, Joseph K. Goodrich (translator) The Story of Kintoki, #1 in the Nisseikwan Japanese Tales Series, Osaka, Nisseikwan, silk tied wrappers, color woodblocks,15 folded papes, plain paper, 30 pp.
#2. A Short Story of Yoshitusune
#3. Deaf as a Poet
#4. Curious Logic
(not established that #2-#4 were published)

Similar Non-Crepe Paper Woodblock Print Fairy Tale Books
Iwaya's Fairy Tales of Old Japan (Nos. 1-12)

Iwaya's Fairy Tales of Old Japan Sazanami Iwaya, published by Eigaku-Shimpo-Sha, Tokyo, 1903~4, plain paper, ca 15 x 22.5 cm, staple bound, soft covers with color woodblocks on the outside front and back, internal woodblocks illustrations(generally 12~14 per book) are black and white, front cover transliterated or translated titles in English, title page generally, but not always, with the title translated (vrs transliterated) into English, back cover in Japanese characters, Japanese and English text, various translators. A series of the following 12 individual stories (books):

No. 1. Momotaro, The Story of the Peach Boy, translated by Hannah Riddell
No. 2. Tamanoni, The Jewel Spring, translated by Fanny B. Greene
No. 3. The Cancerian-Simian War, The Revenge of the Crab Upon the Monkey, translated by Hannah Riddell
No. 4. The Mirror of Matsuyama, translated by Hannah Riddell
No. 5. Old Man Flower-Blower [The Old Man Who Made Dead Trees Blossom], Fanny B. Greene
No. 6. The Goblin Mountain, translated by Fanny B. Greene
No. 7. The Tongue-Cut Sparrow, translated by M.E. Kirby, 36 pp, 14 woodblock illustrations
No. 8. Tawara Toda, Hidesato of the Rice Bale, translated by Hannah Riddell, 32 pp, 14 woodblock illustrations
No. 9. The Story of Kachi-Kachi Yama, translated by "E.T.", 32 pp, 13 woodblock illustrations
No. 10. The Old Man with the Wen, translated by M.E. Kirby
No. 11. Do-Nothing-Taro, Monogusa Taro, translated by F.B. Greene, 32 pp, 13 woodblock illustrations
No. 12. The Tea-Kettle of Good Luck, translated by F.B. Greene & Miss Hisa Tateishi, 1904, 28 pp, 12 woodblock illustrations

Non-Crepe Paper Books in English with Woodblock Prints

1887-8, Walter Dening, Japan in Days of Yore, The Hakubunsha, 4 parts/volumes, 12 mo.

Part I. Human Nature in a Variety of Aspects.
Part II. Wounded Pride and How it Was Healed.
Parts III. & IV. The Life of Miyamoto Mushi, Part I & II.
Part V. The Triumph of Virtue Over Vice (advertised but publication not confirmed).
Part VI. The Life of Okubo Hikozaemon (advertised but publication not confirmed).

Each volume with color woodblock illustrations by "well-known artists." The object of the work is to portray the life and manners of Japan. In 1889 each volume sold for 50 cents. These books are also found with the Griffith Farran & Co. imprint on the cover and title page. For more information on this set, click here. Part IV has been confirmed in a "trade" edition which lacks the color plates. For more information on that book, click here.
Available - Complete Set of 4 Parts - Purchase Here
Available - Part IV, Trade Edition (No Plates) - Purchase Here

1888-89, Walter Dening, The Life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a 5 part set, Tokyo, The Hakubunsha, 1888-90 (Meiji 21-23), stiff wrap covers illustrated in color, 12mo (5 x 7 1/4 in - 12.7 x 18.3 cm), string ties, text in English and on folded pages, Japanese language colophon at the rear, approximately 5-6 double page color woodblock prints per part, each part with approximately 80 text pages, pages numbered consecutively, 417 pp. Publisher's advertisements at the end of at least Parts II and III. For more information on this set, click here.
Available - Parts II & III - Purchase Here

ca 1889, Principle Versus Interest, The Hakubunsha, 2 Vols, illustrated.

ca 1889, A History of Life, Institutions, and Manners Under the Tokugawa Shoguns, The Hakubunsha, 5 Vols. illustrated.

ca 1889, Pictures of Forty Eight Taka, The Hakubunsha.

ca 1889, Taki Kwatei, Pictures of Flowers and Birds, The Hakubunsha, The pictures "are printed from very superior woodcuts, which were exhibited at the Ueno Industrial Exhibition...."

ca 1889, Sensai Eitaku, Pictures of Children's Sports, The Hakubunsha.

1894, Dessins Japonais. Jeux d'enfants (Japanese Paintings of Children's Sports),Tokyo, Hakubunsha, 1888, oblong 4to, fabric covered boards, 13 full page tipped to page color woodblock prints measuring 19 x 27 cm, title in English, French and Japanese, preface in English and French, concertina style.

1901, Ferrand, Claudius, Fables et Legendes du Japon par Claudius Ferrand, Deuxime (Second) Edition, Tous Droits Reserves, Tokio, Imprimerie de la Tsukiji Type Foundry, Paris Chez M. L'Abbe P. Ferrand, Meiji 34 (1901), small 8vo (6 x 8 3/4 in - 15 x 22.5 cm), plain paper, text in folded sheets, color woodblock plates (4) on single sheets, text in French, spine covered at head and foot for ca 1 in, ribbon ties, title page in black, frontispiece (color woodblock) with title, 155 numbered pages (78 folded pages), three internal woodblock plates on single sheets. The first page of each of the thirteen sections has a black and white woodcut decorative title. Each page of text has a black and white woodcut illustration. For more information on this book, click here. Several editions were published between 1901 and 1904.
Available - Second Edition -Purchase Here

This is the Main Hasegawa Page

General Information Regarding T. Hasegawa Publications

Fukuro-Toji Bound Picture Books. The books published by Takejiro Hasegawa are in the nature of books falling under the Japanese generic descriptive title of Ehon ("e" - picture "hon" - book). They are generally bound in the traditional Japanese book binding style know as "fukuro-toji" which means "pouch binding." In this binding process sheets of paper are printed (woodblock and/or text) on only one side. They are then folded in half with the printed side out. The folded printed sheets are then stacked together along with similarly printed and folded covers and the unit secured along the spine, which is the side opposite the folds, to form the book. This technique gives you the folded pages (double leaves) which are open at the top and bottom forming the pouch ("fukuro") which the binding technique is named after. As a general rule the "fukuro-toji" books are secured/tied with (Yotsume toji bindings) in where four small holes are made along the spine edge and the sheets and covers are then bound together tightly with string or thread ties that wrap around the spine. Generally the spine is not covered except for small portions at the top and bottom. Hasegawa seldom used this form of binding. However, some of the early first editions are found secured in the traditional four hole string tie fashion. I have only seen this with the plain paper books. Most Hasegawa books were secured at the spine using two stab type holes (one at the top and one at the bottom) and secured by silk string or silk ribbon ties (Yamato toji binding). Large books consolidating several individual books are found bound with Kangxi bindings. A very few were tied in a Western style with the string binding concealed under the outside portion of the front and back covers. The paper used was a high quality wood (no rag content) based "washi," generally manufactured from mulberry. The majority of the books were crepe ("chirimen") paper. These are referred to as "chirimen-bon" (crepe paper book) in Japanese. The crepe paper process occurred between the printing process and binding processes. Hasegawa's books were uniformly of high quality in all aspects; paper, ink, execution of the art and text, printing (woodblock printing and Western type face text printing), assembly and binding.

Key Actors in the Production Process. These books involved several key actors in the production process.

Publisher/Editor. Kobunsha/Takejiro Hasegawa or his successor.

Author/Translator. Since these books were intended for markets outside of Japan, Hasegawa employed numerous prominent foreigners for this task. Many famous Westerners living in Meiji Japan were associated with Hasegawa's work. Occasionally, Hasegawa would be commissioned by others to produce their work. However, the overwhelming majority of the books were published at his initiative and under his control.

Artist. Hasegawa retained a group of artists to execute the illustrations for his work.

Text Printer. The text printing in the books was executed by a different printer from the woodblock printer.

Woodblock Printer. The woodblocks would be produced from the artist's work and then printed by the woodblock printer. It appears that most of the woodblock printing was done by the Komiya family.

Frederic Sharf, in his work Takejiro Hasegawa, Meiji Japan's Preeminent Publisher of Wood-Block-Illustrated Crepe-Paper Books (see here) records a remarkable amount of information on all these key individuals. In his bibliography of these books, he documents the books and, as far as the information was available, gives the names of these key people. His book also provides an in depth discussion of Hasegawa's life and business and the key authors and translators he employed. Sharf's work is an essential resource for the collector and student of these books.

Size. There are four basic sizes of the crepe paper books.

Very Small Size -- large 30mo (3 1/2 x 6 in - 10 x 15.2 cm). The smallest size I have seen in these books.
Small Size -- small 18mo (4 x 6 in - 10.3 x 15.2 cm). This is the standard size for the Fairy Tale Series books.
Medium Size -- large 18mo (4 3/4 x 6 1/2 in - 12 x 16.5 cm).
Medium Size -- 12mo (5+ x 7+ in - 13.4 x 18.8 cm) typical plain paper size.
Large Size -- large 12mo (6 x 7 1/2 in - 14.8 x 19 cm).
Very Large Size -- 8vo (7+ x 9+ in) primarily the plain paper books.

It is possible to generalize on size of crepe books versus plain paper books. The plain paper books are approximately 50% larger than the counterpart version on crepe paper. As a general rule the plain paper books measure 12.3+ x 18+ cm while the same book in crepe paper measures 9.8+ x 15+ cm. Since the crepe books were first completed in a plain paper format and the paper then creped, perhaps the difference is shrinkage during that process.

Crepe/Plain Paper. In the second edition of Oyuchasan, published in 1893, Hasegawa advertised The Japanese Fairy Tale Series, Nos. 1-20 in "Ordinary Paper & Crepe Paper." On this matter, Sharf notes that the Maruzen company in Tokyo sold Hasegawa/Kobunsha books and until 1893 all listed in company catalogues were on plain paper. The 25 numbers of the First Japanese Fairy Tale Series, as well as No 1 & 2 of the Second Series, were apparently all sold in plain paper versions. They were also sold in crepe paper versions.

Bindings. Discussed and illustrated below.

Wraparound Cases (Chitsu). A very few of the Hasegawa books were sold with tradational Japanese wraparound cases (bone/ivory clasps) although they are seldom seen with material currently being offered commercially. When the books are enclosed in these hinged cases, the top and bottom of the case are open. The following have been confirmed with folding cases:

Dichtergusse Aus Dem Osten, Japanishce Dichtungen
Poetical Greetings from the Far East
White Aster
Japanische Dichtungen, Weissaster
Sword and Blossom Poems, 3 volumes (padded folding cover with title and plain with no lettering).
Japanische Dramen: Terakoya u. Asagao
Lafcadio Hearn's five book Japanese Fairy Tale sets.

Colophons (Japanese Language). The books contain Japanese language colophons, generally at the rear. These colophons usually state:

Date Printed
Date Published
Author/translator
Editor and Publisher - Takejiro Hasegawa with the Tokyo Address
Woodblock Printer and Address
Text Printer and Address.

They also generally state in English and/or Japanese - "Copyright Reserved" / "All Rights Registered and Reserved." An example of a colophon with English translations annotated is here. A word of caution is necessary regarding colophons in these books. It was not unusual for a later reprint of a book to contain the same colophon found in the earlier edition. Dating these books can be a complicated undertaking and that is discussed below.

Distributor/Agent Imprints.

Brentano's, New York
Ernst Bojesens, Kunst Frolag Kjobenhavn (Copenhaven - K�benhavn)
Breitkopf & Hartel, Leipzig, Brussells, London, & New York
Griffith, Farran & Co., London and Sydney, N.S.W.
C.F. Amelang's Verlag, Leipzig
H. Honig, Netherlands (Dutch language books)
Kelly and Walsh, Yokohama
Maruzen, Tokyo
Macrae-Smith, Philadelphia (1931 Lafcadio Hearn's translated set of 5)
Martin Hopkinson, Ltd, London (limited quantities generally 200-500)
Open Court Publishing, Chicago
Sampson Low, Marston & Company (Rat's Plaint, Children's Japan, Niponese Rhymes & Princess Splendor)
Sheperds, London
Simkin Marshall Co, London
Simkin Marshall, Hamilton, Kent Co., London
Ticknor & Co., Boston (Aino Fairy Tales No. 1 and No. 2)
Trubner & Co., London (Perhaps Aino Fairy Tales)
Wentzel Hagelstam F�rlag, Helsingfors (Helsinki), Swedish language books

Griffith, Farran & Co. Imprint Books. The first 16 Fairy Tales were printed by Kobunsha with the Griffith, Farran & Company imprint. The special printings for Griffith, Farran & Company were published ca 1888. These books are generally found bound into four volumes but sometimes unbound and in the original state. Regarding the Hasegawa - Griffith, Farran & Co. relationship, Sharf notes:

Early on in his career, he had prepared a special edition of his crepe-paper fairy tale series for the venerable English publisher Griffith, Farran & Company. With offices in London and Sydney, and with a solid reputation for their children's books, the firm was an important client for Hasegawa in the 1880's. The books that Griffith, Farran contracted with Hasegawa to produce were more in the Western vein, with sewn and glued spines, and with Griffith, Farran identification on the cover. (Sharf at page 22, underlining is mine)

From a binding perspective the major distinction in these special production books is that they are not bound by stab ties or external string ties. Additional information on several of these books is found here.

Different Language Versions. The Fairy Tale books were printed several languages.

Dutch - 2 books; Shitakiri Suzume, plain paper, c1886 and De Musch met de Geknipte Tong), plain paper, 18.1 cm x 12.3cm, 10 double pages, 1892. A Dutch language calendar has also been reported (Almanak voor 1903).
French - "Les Contes du Vieux Japon" (Nos. 1~21, same books/numbers as in English versions). An early edition (Battle of the Monkey and the Crab) is reported on plain paper in medium size (12.5 x 18 cm) with the 2 Minami Saegi-cho address. In this book the covers are in color but the internal woodblocks are black and white. This type of book would date between 1885 and 1889.
German - "Japanische Marchen" First Series: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 16, 21, 21 Second Edition. Second Series: 2 & 3. For more information on the German translations, click here. Several German language calendars have been reported.
Portuguese - "Contos do Velho Japano de Carangueijo" (Nos. 1~8).
Spanish - Two series. First series, "Cuentos del Japon Viejo (Nos. 1~10)." Second series Leyendas y Narraciones Japonesas (Nos. 1~10)." For more information on this set click here. Several Spanish language calendars have been reported.
Swedish - "Japanesiski Sagor" - were translated by Konni Zilliacus who spent the period from 1894-6 in Japan. During this time he collaborated with T. Hasegawa to translate Fairy Tales No. 1 (Momotaro), No. 2 (Spariven med den Klippta Tungan) and No. 7 (Bubben Och Trollen) into the Swedish language. These were printed in Tokyo and carried the Wentzel Hagelstam, F�rlag, Helsingfors, imprint in addition to "T. Hasegawa's Tryckeri" (10 Hiyoshi-cho, Tokyo). To see the front covers of these books, click here.
Italian and Russian (1 book, The Wonderful Tea Kettle).
Polish. It appears that a series in Polish was proposed but never published.

Hasegawa Output Over the Years (1885~1930). I have not seen a definitive listing of all the books and calendars produced by The Kobunsha and T. Hasegawa over the years. However, a review of this material that I have seen indicates more than 250 different and distinctive books or calendars were produced over this period. One advanced collector has placed the total at more than 700. This includes crepe and plain paper books of the same title as well as versions of the books in different languages as distinctive publications. It does not include different printing of the same item.

Quantities Produced. I have not found a record of the output of the various Hasegawa publications. Sharf notes that the books were "...produced in quantities of either five hundred or one thousand copies per title...." (Sharf at page 11). I am aware of only one book where the quantity printed is actually stated. That is Japanese Dramen: Terakoya u. Asagao. At least seven editions of the book were produced with a quantity of 1,000 copies per edition. In this book the quantity is stated on the folding case, on the title page and in the colophon.

Takejiro Hasegawa in Japanese. In the colophon of these books you often see Hasegawa's name in this manner:

Hasegawa

Takejiro

Addresses in Japanese (all in Tokyo). A listing of addresses and dates is provided in the Sharf book at Appendix Three.

The Kobunsha

2 Minami Saegi-Cho, Kyobashi-ku
Kobunsha sometimes lists as "No. 2 Minami, Sayegicho" in English

(reading from right to left)

(reading from top to bottom)
3 Maruya-cho, Kyobashi-ku

(reading from right to left and top to bottom -
in use only a very short period of time)

Hasegawa

10 Hiyoshi-cho, Kyobashi-ku
20 Honzaimoko-cho, Nichome, Nihonbashi-ku

(in use only a short period of time)
38 Honmura-cho, Yotsuya-ku
Hasegawa lists as "38 Yotsuya, Honmura" in English
17 Kami Negishi-cho, Shitaya-ku

The name "Hasegawa Publishing Company"
is often associated with this address

First Editions, Japanese Fairy Tales 1-16 (English)

Michael Hollander, in his List of these book, states the following regarding the English language Japanese Fairy tale books:

A true first edition set of the Fairy Tale series will consist of the first twelve titles on plain paper, with titles in phonetic Japanese, and the imprint Kobunsha. The titles numbered 13-20 on creped paper with the titles in English and the imprint of Kobunsha and the titles numbered 21-23 on creped paper and with the imprint Hasegawa & Co., complete a first edition set. (Hollander, at page 339)

Unfortunately, it is not as simple as this. I find it interesting that Sharf does not deal with the matter of the various editions in his comprehensive book on T. Hasegawa aside from presenting printing and publication dates. Since earlier dates were often repeated verbatim in later editions, the dates you find are not absolutely determinative as to whether a book is a first edition.

I will present my tentative observations/conclusions regarding first editions below. I believe that the plain paper books predated the crepe paper books for the first 20 English Japanese Fairy Tale Series books.

Plain Paper, First Editions
Cover Title Types A, A1, A2, B & B1

First Editions and Transliterated Title Versus Translated Title, Nos. 1-12. The first editions of the first 12 English language Japanese Fairy Tale Series have the title spelled phonetically in English (transliterated). The title appears translated into English on the first page of the text. In addition, these books are plain paper and have the Kobunsha imprint. Some of these books are found with the title of "Japanese Fairy Tale Series No. __" in addition to the transliterated title. Currently, my research indicates that starting with 1886 (No. 7) the Japanese Fairy Tale series number was included on the cover along with the title. It also appears that starting with 1887 (No 13) use of the transliterated title was discontinued in favor of the translated title.

In a comment somewhat related to this matter, Frederic A. Sharf states:

The first printed listing of Kobunsha products (seen by the author) was issued in December of 1886, and it contained the first twelve volumes of the Japanese Fairy Tale Series. Each volume was identified with the cover title in Japanese and the English equivalent on the inside first page. The next listing was issued February 1887 with fourteen volumes, but at this point all the cover titles were in English, an obvious concession to the need to develop an export market. (Sharf at page 12)

Regarding paper type (plain and crepe), Sharf notes that the Maruzen firm first listed the Hasegawa books in it's 1890 catalogue and at that time they were all plain paper versions (Sharf at page 17). He then observes that in an 1893 Maruzen catalogue, they were listed in crepe and plain paper. In a later edition of Oyuchasan, published in January of 1893, Hasegawa advertised the Japanese Fairy Tale Series, Nos. 1-20 in "Ordinary Paper & Crepe Paper." It appears very likely that all the Fairy Tale books between Nos. 1 and 20 (1885~1892) were first printed on plain paper and that the crepe paper versions followed later and were available as early as 1893. It certainly does appear that in the period around 1890, as the Kobunsha imprint was being discontinued and the T. Hasegawa imprint was being established, there was a definite shift from the production of plain paper books to creped paper books.

Thus far I have confirmed plain paper versions of Nos. 1~16 & 17 (1885-8). I am of the opinion that the plain paper versions of these books were the first editions and probably the same is the case for Nos. 18-20 (1888~92).

With regard to plain paper versions of Nos. 1~17, below are the major types of titles I have identified.

Type A. Transliterated Titles:

Type A1. Transliterated Titles with "Japanese Fairy Tale Series No. __":

Type A2. Transliterated Titles only on Front Cover - Transliterated
Title & "Japanese Fairy Tale Series No. __" inside Front Cover:

Type B. Translated Titles with "Japanese Fairy Tale Series. No. __"

Type B1. Translated Title without "Japanese Fairy Tale Series No. __"

(Seldom seen Variation)

The plain paper books with type A1, B & B1 titles are sometimes called "Saihan" (second printing). They may have a slightly different color scheme on the front cover. Despite the slightly different covers, the colophons and contents are the same.

The plain paper books measure approximately 4 3/4~5 x 7 in (12.1~12.8 x 17.7~18.6 cm).

I am of the opinion that it is accurate to call all the plain paper versions of Nos. 1-12 "First Editions." Some may be later printings but it appears accurate to call them all first editions despite minor variations in titles.

My review of these books leads me to the following tentative conclusions.

Transliterated Titles on the Front Cover

Type A (transliterated) titles appear (believed used only on Nos. 1-6) to be the earliest type and first editions, first printings. Use confirmed on Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 thus far.
Type A1 (transliterated and with Fairy Tale no.) titles of Nos. 1-6 are believed to be second printings of the first edition. Use confirmed on No. 4 thus far.
Type A1 titles of Nos. 7-12 are believed to be the first printing of the first edition. Use confirmed on Nos. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 & 17 thus far. Fairy Tale No. 17 (Schippeitaro) was not issued with a different or translated title.
Type A2 titles. Use confirmed on No. 1 (2nd edition) and No. 6 thus far.

Translated Titles on the Front Cover

Type B (translated and with Fairy Tale No.) titles start to appear consistently with Nos 13. Use has been confirmed on Nos. 2 (2nd ed), 3 (2nd ed) 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 & 18 thus far. I believe it is very likely that all numbers between 1-12 have a later (first edition but later printing) plain paper printing using the Type B title cover. Further, I believe that starting with No. 13, only the Type B cover title was used.
Type B1 variant (translated but without Fairy Tale no.) has only been seen on No. 7 and that book carried "Japanese Fairy Tales, No. 7" internally with the colophon.

Plain Paper Versions with Brown (not illustrated) Outer Covers. The books discussed above all have illustrated front and back covers. A variant of these books has been recorded with plain brown covers bound in Japanese style with thin string ties. These books have a white paste on label with a decorative border which reads "Japanese Fairy Tales" at the top. Below that is the name of the tale in Japanese and translated into English. Below that is "Published by Kobunsha" and the No 2. Minami Tokyo address. On the right and left are vertical columns of Japanese text. The left hand columns give the printing and publication dates and all were printed and published in Meiji 18 (1885). The dates given correspond to the dates found on the plain paper first editions with color illustrated covers. The labels do not have a fairy tale number and none is stated internally. Books in this format are reported for "Momotaro"(No. 1), "Shita Kiri" Suzume (No. 2), "Saru Kani Kassen" (No 3), "Hana Saki Jiji" (No. 4), "KachiKachi Yama" (No. 5) and "Nedzumi no Yome-ire" (No. 6). All illustrations in these books are in black and white. Sharf, referring to these books, calls them the "first Kobunsha" books and notes they were intended for the Japanese educational market (Sharf at page 11).

Plain Paper Versions of Nos. 13-20. These numbers are probably all found in plain paper versions. I have confirmed plain paper versions of Nos 13~16 (Wooden Bowl). The plain paper versions I have seen of these are only found with translated titles which include "Japanese Fairy Tale Series No. __." (type B). The crepe paper versions carry the same type titles. I have confirmed No. 17 in a plain paper version. Additionally Nos. 18~20 are reported in plain paper but I have not examined a copy. In a later edition of Oyuchasan, published in January of 1893, Hasegawa advertised the Japanese Fairy Tale Series, Nos. 1-20 in "Ordinary Paper & Crepe Paper." It is unclear whether the plain paper versions are first editions or whether they were published simultaneously with the crepe paper versions. However, it does appear logical that the plain paper versions were published and distributed before the crepe paper versions. The plain paper versions are uniformly larger than the crepe paper ones, measuring 17.9~18.5 x 12.1~12.5 cm.

Determining Date of Printing & Publication. As with most books, values generally vary on a particular item based upon when it was printed and published. The earlier books often command a premium over later printings. Unfortunately, often the books do not state the date of printing or edition. An additional complicating factor is the fact that dates in the Japanese colophons are often not helpful because later editions would sometimes carry colophons from earlier versions (more on this in the next paragraph). However, many of the T. Hasegawa publications give the Hasegawa address. A listing of addresses and dates is provided in the Sharf book. With the address/dates, you can get a helpful "guestimate" of when a particular books was produced. Another means of establishing the date of printing is review of the advertising list found at the back of many of the books. If the date of the last book listed/advertised is known, then the approximate date of printing of the book in hand can be bracketed. The fact that a book carries the Kobunsha (rather than Hasegawa) imprint can not be considered conclusive evidence it is an early printing (1890 and earlier). Reprints are found that carry that carry the Kobunsha imprint even after it was discontinued in favor of the Hasegawa imprint.

Reprints. To complicate dating books, one must consider the matter of reprints produced by Hasegawa. It is evident that books were reprinted at later dates but the original colophons were not changed, at least the dates. Perhaps the Japanese in the colophon denotes it as a reprint but I have been unable to confirm that. I have personally reviewed two series of books (No 1~15, first series, small 18mo, crepe) which were originally published under the Kobunsha imprint in the period from 1885~1887. The colophons in these books reflect the original printing and publication dates. However, the imprint (in Japanese in one series [c1898] and English in the other series [c1911]) is Takejiro Hasegawa, not Kobunsha. Based upon the address listed for Hasegawa in the books, and to some degree the advertising, it is very clear these are reprints. Books (Nos. 1-20) printed on plain paper are most likely first editions and not later reprints. However, they might represent different printings (first or second printings) of a first edition.

Book Binding Techniques. The vast majority of books marketed by T. Hasegawa were bound in traditional Japanese sewn binding techinques. These binding types (Yotsume toji, Kangxi and Yamato toji) are detailed below. Of these binding types, the vast majority of the books were bound in the Yamato toji style. Under special contract with Griffith, Farran & Co., the first 16 books of the fairy tale series were bound in a western type style without stab ties or external string ties. A few other non-fairy tale books were also bound in this manner.

Yotsume toji Binding. The first editions (individual books) were sometimes bound with very flimsy string ties.

In typical Japanese style, the string/thread ties run down the spine side vertically and are secured in four places by loops which pass around the spine and through small holes punched through the book block. The string ties are very flimsy and are often missing, broken or very loose. Frankly, the binding is so weak that it seems to me that it was anticipated that the books bound in this manner would subsequently be bound into book form using a more substantial method of book binding and not publicly marketed. This style of Japanese book binding is know as Yotsume toji binding.

Kangxi Binding. The consolidated set volumes of first edition books with thick paper illustrated covers (Volume I, Volume II and Volume III) are bound with sturdy double string ties. I have not seen individual books bound in this manner, only larger books which are a consolidation of several individual books.

This is known as Kangxi binding and is a traditional and sturdy Chinese and Japanese book binding technique. For an excellent illustrated step by step discussion of this binding process, click here. This Kangxi binding is much more elaborate than that used on the individual books.

Yamato toji Binding (Two and Four Hole Types). The vast majority of the Hasegawa books are bound at two points with ribbon/cord ties. This is known as the Yamato toji style of Japanese book binding. It is seen with double holes at each point and sometimes four holes at each point. When four holes are used the binding crossed in an "X" pattern on the front and back. In these books the spine is very often covered with very thin paper.

Double stab hole Yamato toji binding.

Four stab hole Yamato toji binding (often used on thicker books).

Below is an example of a rather unique binding, at least for Hasegawa books. It is tied at the side. I have only seen this style of binding used on the Aino Fairy Tales series. It is a variant of the Yamato toji style but the ties are wraped around the edge and tied off along the edge.

Reference/Resource Material.

Byrne, Alexander:
Chirimen-bon or Cr�pe Paper Books, published in Daruma, Japanese Art & Antiques Magazine, Issue 47, Vol. 12, No. 3, Summer 2005, Japan, 8vo, illustrated stiff wraps, 58 pp. The article on Japanese cr�pe paper books covers pages 12 to 27. It is illustrated with 47 color illustrations. An informative and finely illustrated discussion of the Japanese Chirimen books. The Takejiro Hasegawa books are discussed with many illustrations. Hasegawa calendars (book type and hanging) are also noted. Additionally, similar crepe paper books by Akiyama Aisaburo, Hasegawa Sonokichi, SLG (Sidney L. Gulick) and S. Takashima/K. Ogawa are discussed. An important reference work for the collector of these books. To see the cover of this issue, click here.
~~ Available - Purchase Here ~~

Sharf, Frederic A.:
Takejiro Hasegawa: Meiji Japan's Preeminent Publisher of Wood-Block Illustrated Crepe-Paper Books, Salem, 1994, Peabody Essex Museum Collections, red pictorial wrappers, large 8vo (8 1/2 x 11 in), one black and white plate (photograph of T. Hasegawa) and 26 black & white text illustrations, 77 pp. Comprehensive resource on the Hasegawa crepe paper books. Well researched and documented review of T. Hasegawa's life and publishing efforts. The text follows Hasegawa's life as a publisher in a chronological order. This is followed by a section with detailed information on the various Westerners who worked with Hasegawa in the publishing enterprise (pages 32-58). These include Lieutenant F.M. Bostwick, Charles and Susan Bowles, Mae St. John Bramhall, Julia D. Carrothers, Paul Carus, Basil Hall Chamberlain, Benjamin Chappell, Joseph Dautremer, Karl Adolph Florenz, Adolph Groth, Lafcadio Hearn, Dr. James Curtis Hepburn, Mrs. Thomas H. (Kate) James, Mary G. Kimura, Shotaro Kimura, Alica Helen Little, Archibald J. Little, Arthur Lloyd, Edward Rothesay Miller, Emily Patton, Charlotte M.A. Peake, Mrs. W.H. Smith, David Thompson, Mary E. Unger and Captain P.G. Van Schermbeek. The book has a "Selected Biography" (pages 60-65) which provides detailed information on the various Japanese Fairy Tale Series books and other English language illustrated books. This information is general in terms - title, author or translator, artist, printing date, publication date, publisher (with address), woodblock printer and text printer when known. Also contains a chronological listing Hasegawa addresses. The first address is 1885 and the last is 1911 to an unstated date. To see the front cover, click here. These addresses are very helpful in determining the approximate date of printing. This book was also published in the Peabody Essex Museum Collections, Volume 130, Number 4, October, 1994.
~~ Available - Purchase Here ~~

Ishizawa Saeko:
Chirimen-bon no Subete: Meiji Obun Sashie-bon, Tokyo, 2005, 8vo (6 1/4 x 8 1/2 in), red cloth with illustrated slip cover, Japanese language, 332 pp. Roughly, the title translates "Everything about crepe paper books: Meiji era illustrated books." Perhaps the most comprehensive discussion of the illustrated crepe paper books of the Meiji era published. While the text is in Japanese, book titles and Western author's names are in Western languages. The book reads in the Japanese format from the back to the front. The front of the book has a 8 pages of color illustration of the crepe paper books. Most books have one or several black and white illustrations in the text discussion. The focus, as one would expect, is the T. Hasegawa/Kobunsha books (in all languages). Pages 243-332 contain information on Fairy Tale books produced by non-Japanese. Here you find books by A.B. Mitford, F.A. Junker von Langegg, William Elliot Griffis, H. Riddell ("Iwaya's Fairy Tales of Old Japan"), Fanny B. Greene and others. At the back, right before the colophon, are 44 pages (i-xliv) of charts and data. There include an extensive series of tables on the Hasegawa/Kobunsha Japanese Fairy Tale series. The book was obviously not intended for the person unable to read Japanese. However, much valuable information can be garnered from the illustrations, the scattered Western language titles and author's names and the tables. Many little known books are described and pictured in addition to the standard fare of Hasegawa published crepe paper book. To see the dust jacket, click here. ISBN: 4-8382-3128-9.
~~ Available - Purchase Here ~~

Hollander, Michael S.:
ABMR
Hollander, Michael:
Antiquarian Book Monthly Review (ABMR) , Vol IX, No. 9, Issue 101, Oxford, UK, 1982, September issue, 8vo, paper wraps, pages 331~364. Contains an article by Michael Hollander titled List of Books Published by T. Hasegawa, Tokyo at pages 338~441. This is the earliest comprehensive English language listing of T. Hasegawa books that I have found. The author focuses on the Fairy Tale series but covers other books also and gives a wealth of information which includes title, number of pages and size. Not all these details are provided for each book however. To see the front cover, click here.

Perkins, Percival D.
Perkins, Ione
Ichikawa, Sanki (introduction):
Lafcadio Hearn a Biography of His Writings, Boston and New York, Houghton Mifflin Company, printed in Japan by the Kenkyosha Printing Company, Tokyo, gray cloth, paste on labels on front board and spine, Tokyo, 1934, 8vo, collotype frontispiece reproducing Hearn's message to the Japanese people, 444 pp. Discusses all 5 books written by Hearn and published by T. Hasegawa - The Boy Who Drew Cats (1st Series, #23), The Old Woman Who Lost Her Dumpling (1st Series, #24), Chin Chin Kobakama (1st Series, #25), The Fountain of Youth and The Goblin Spider (2nd Series, #1).

Chamberlain, Basil Hall
Tylor, Edward B. (introduction):
Aino Folk-Tales (Folk-Lore Society, XXII), London, privately printed for the Folk-Lore Society, 1888, prefatory remarks dated July 20, 1887, 8vo, paper wraps, vii, 57 pp. This is a compilation of 54 different Aino folk tales gathered by Chamberlain primarily during a stay in Hokkaido among the Aino in Summer of 1886 and during two earlier visits. While I have seen this publication described with cloth covered boards, I believe that it was bound privately or a modern reprint. I believe that the publication was originally issued by the Folk-Lore Society as a stand-alone soft-cover book. More information on this book is here.

This work was prepared at the same time that Chamberlain's Aino Fairy Tales No. 1 and No. 2 were being prepared for publication by The Kobunsha/T. Hasegawa. Variants of the three of the folk tales in Chamberlain's 1888 book are found in the T. Hasegawa color woodblock illustrated books. Information on Basil Hall Chamberlain's Aino-Fairy Tales published by Takejiro Hasegawa is here.

Riccardo, Franci:
Takejiro Hasegawa e le fiabe giapponesi del Museo Stibbert (Takejiro Hasegawa and the Japanese Fairy Tales Collection of the Stibbert Museum), Livorno, Italy, Sillabe, October 2008, square 8vo (9 1/2 x 8 3/4 in - 24 x 22 cm), stiff wraps, text in Italian and English, 300 illustrations, 204 pp. A discussion of T. Hasegawa's work and the collection of his material in the Stibbert Museum. The book is primarily a page by page presentation of the first thirteen plain paper English language Japanese Fairy Tale books published by T. Hasegawa. It contains the seldom seen plain paper version of "Kobutoro" (Japanese Fairy Tale No. 7). Each of the thirteen books is preceded by a page of comments about the book in Italian and English. To see the front cover, click here. ISBN: 978-88-8347-478-1.
~~ Available - Purchase Here ~~

A 2004 National Diet Library Newsletter (No 135) discusses the "Chirimen-bon: books made of Chirimen Paper (crepe paper)" with a focus on the T. Hasegawa books. That newsletter (No 135, February 2004) can be found here. It is interesting to note that the newsletter has the following rationale for the incomplete collection of these books in the Diet Library:

The incompleteness of the collection may be attributed to the way in which the former Imperial Library (one of the predecessors of the NDL) categorized its acquisitions. Chirimen books in minor languages or cheap editions might have been categorized as materials not worth long-term preservation. There is also a possibility that part of collections was lost in the Great Kanto Earthquake.

Various:
Anthony's Photographic Bulletin, Volume XXI, New York, E. & H. T. Anthony & Co., 1890, March issue, 8vo, contains a reproduction of a formally posed photograph of Takejiro Hasegawa.

Japanese Copyright Law. See National Diet Library Newsletter (No. 134, December 2003 ). Information can be found here. The Newsletter summarizes the Japanese copyright law as follows:

Copyright continues to exist until the end of a period of fifty years following the death of the author (Article 51). As for the duration of copyright, there are some exceptions for anonymous and pseudonymous works, the works of a legal person or other corporate body, and foreign authors. However, the basic assumption on general works is that from fifty-one years after the death of the author, the work is free from the copyright.

If you are aware of books with illustrations produced by Takejiro Hasegawa which are not listed above, your comments would be greatly appreciated. In addition, corrections/additions/comments regarding the above listing are welcome.

If you have books produced by Takejiro Hasegawa to sell, please get in touch with us.

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Takejiro Hasegawa/Kobunsha Publications "Chirimen-bon" (Crepe Paper Books) And Plain Paper Books

Kobunsha/HasegawaJapanese Fairy Tale Series

Plain Paper, First EditionsCover Title Types A, A1, A2, B & B1

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Cover Title Types A, A1, A2, B & B1