S.L.G.:
"My Japanese" A Topical Song of Japan, Words and Music by S.L.G, Yokohama, Kelly & Walsh, Meiji 28 (1895), small 8vo (6 3/8 x 8 in - 16.2 x 20.1 cm), English language, string tied, double fold crepe paper, color woodblocks on all pages, 20 pages (10 double fold pages) including covers. The book has no title page. There is a colophon on the back cover. "S.L.G" is believed to be Dr. Sidney Lewis Gulick (1860–1945), an American missionary living in Japan at the time. While this book is sometimes attributed to Takejiro Hasegawa, I find no evidence to support this in the book nor in my research of the Hasegawa books.

The book is a tribute, in song and verse, to the Japanese language. There are four pages of notes and lyrics to a song ("My Japanese") about the language.

The song is followed by a six poems on the language. These poems consider subjects terms important to the Westerner in Japan.

1. Greetings. Ohayo, Ikaga-o, Konn-chi-wa, Komban-wa.
2. The Tea Houses - Ochayas. Tamango, Kirnbiru, Lemonade, Sa! Hayaku.
3. The Ricksha. Danna-san, Taranai, Mo Jiusen Taihen hayai.
4. The Curio Shop. Ichiban, Niju-yen, Yoroshi, Mo Arimasen.
5. The Kojiki (beggar). Tabero Deinai, Kanewo Okunasai.
6. The Policeman. Inaka, Menjo-nai, Ikemasen, Ma Shikatani.

The accompanying color woodblock illustrations depict these subjects and some show Westerners.

The book that is illustrated on this web page measures 6 3/8 x 8 in (16.2 x 20.1 cm). I have examined the book in a slightly larger size (6 1/2 x 8 1/8 in). Aside from the size, it was identical to this book. I believe that minor variations in size (less than 1/2 inch, horizontal or vertical) resulted from the manufacturing process.

All Pages

 
Japanese Inscription at Lower Left of Front Cover

 
Colophon at Lower Right of Back Cover

Printed: Meiji 28 (1895).5.10
Published: Meiji 28 (1895).5.13
Publisher: ??, 19 Motowai-cho, Kanda, Tokyo
Printer: Sei Hirose