Condition. The book is in Very Good condition. Three areas of water stain on front and back, not affecting the texture of crepe paper binding but discoloration is noticeable. Light tanning and pale ghost of tape residue on endpapers. Hinges sound and corners sharp.

 
Hasegawa, T. (Publisher)
Kimura, Shotaro
Peake, Charlotte M. A.:
Sword and Blossom Poems from the Japanese, Volume III, T. Hasegawa, 17 Kami Negishi, Tokyo, Japan, 1910, large 16mo (5 x 7 1/4 in - 13 x 18.5 cm), crepe over padded board covers, printed on hosho paper (high quality paper) pages, 39 pages with color woodblock illustrations, a total of 50 pp. This is volume three from the three volume set of "Sword and Blossom" poems. In addition to the "Sword" and "Blossom" poems, this volume has a section of "Love" poems. The colophon states a printing date of Meiji 43 (1910).10.10.

Binding format. The binding format for these books is not one that was typically employed by Hasegawa (or in this type of book in general). The pages are joined to the binding at the middle. This allows for a seamless panoramic views of the prints when a page/plate is opened. The resulting outside edges were normally (but not always) lightly glued to the outside edge of the next page/plate. Other Hasegawa folded page books were bound with the page/plate folded and the open edges joined to the binding at the spine.

I have seen this book with two different address for Hasegawa on the title page. The addresses are:

• 38 Yotsuya Hommura (said to be the Hasegawa address from 1902-1911)
• 17 Kami Negishi (said to be the Hasegawa address from 1911 on)

The books have idential colophons indicating printing on Meiji 43(1910).10.10. Both colophones have the 38 Yotsuya Hommura address. It appears the Hommura address is the earlier printing and it also reflects the correct address for Hesagawa for the stated printing date of 1910.10.10. I consider both books first editions and the Kami Negishi address book a later printing, not a reprint or subsequent edition. Except for the address the books are identical in content.

Title Page

Contents

Close-up of Colophon

Meiji 43 (1910).10.10

 
1907~1910, Shotaro Kimura and Charlotte M. A. Peake, Sword and Blossom: Poems from the Japanese, T. Hasegawa, Tokyo, 118 pages, many 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 were written date from the Kokinshu, 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 three books were also published in 1910 as a special set sold in a padded folding box with ivory clasps.

 
Sword and Blossom Poems from Japan, Volume I
Shotaro Kimura and Charlotte M. Peake
Printed (1st Printing): November 20, 1907 - Published: November 1907
Printed (2nd Printing): February, 1909
Format: Large 16mo, crepe padded covers, hosho paper*
Length: 32 pages
Artists: Kason, Koho, Shoso and Yoshimune
Color woodblock prints on 24 pages

Sword and Blossom Poems from Japan, Volume II
Shotaro Kimura and Charlotte M. Peake
Format: Large 16mo, crepe padded covers, hosho paper*
Length: 34 pages
Printed: August 1, 1908 - Published: August 10, 1908
Artists: Baison, Koho and Shoso
Color woodblock prints on 25 pages

Sword and Blossom Poems from Japan, Volume III
Shotaro Kimura and Charlotte M. Peake
Format: 52 pages, large 16mo, crepe padded covers, hosho paper*
Length: 52 pages
Printed: October 10, 1910 (Meiji 43) - Published: October 30, 1910
Artists: Baison, Koho and Yoshimune
Color woodblock prints on 39 pages

Large 16mo format for all three books is 5 x 7 1/4 in - 12.5 x 18 cm.

Folding Cases. The three books were marketed in 1910-11 period as a set and sold in padded and unpadded folding cases (generally blue with "Sword and Blossom Poems" in silver (padded) on the spine of the case and with ivory clasps). To see this case (unpadded version), click here. It is my experience with sets in these folding cases that the following books were included:

• Volume 1. 2nd Printing of February 1909.
• Volume 2. Only printing of August 1908 (no Number on Cover).
• Volume 3. October 1910 but with the Kami Negishi address.

The set was also marketed in a plain unpadded blue folding case with ivory clasps with no lettering. To see this case, click here.

Deluxe Edition. A deluxe edition of the second volume has been reported.

* Hosho paper is a traditional, high-quality kozo (mulberry) paper, which is strong and absorbent. It does not shrink or tear easily and is well suited for woodblock printing. Relatively speaking, hosho paper is expensive. The paper is made from made from the inner bark of the mulberry tree.

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