An Edo Period Woodblock Printed Book: date 1865

1865
7" x 4 1/2", 18 cm x 11.5 cm

This is a small and slender book of 9 double-sided pages richly illustrated with black-and-white woodblock prints with the first three illustrations done in duotone and on slightly heavier paper than the rest of the pages in the book.

The book is so slender that it feels almost like a pamphlet in the hand due to its size and relatively light weight.

The book's front cover is printed in lavishly detailed colors while the back cover is of one tone. Note the man depicted on the cover is wearing a kimono imprinted with oversized crows and compare this to the other book offered today where the woman pictured on the cover is handling cloth in a design of oversized crows. 

The binding is still intact and is done with cotton thread.

This book is a joy to behold and is a treasure to page through: the exuberance of dramatic life in Japan's Edo period is enlivened through the black-and-white illustrations and text of this small-scale but meticulously illustrated story book.

In used condition with some worm holes and a bit of loss to a few pageds, this book is a delight and a treat for the eyes and imagination.