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Japanese collectable Childrens books - $100 (Fremont)
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The titles are “Earless Ho-Ichi,” and “Tale of the Shining Princess,” Very good condition
“Earless Ho-Ichi,” a classic Japanese tale of mystery, told by Lafcadio Hearn with an introduction by Donald Keene. Both had careers in Japan related to literature.“Earless Ho-Ichi,” features papercut illustrations by Masakazu Kuwata printed using flat inks like a wood block print.
“Tale of the Shining Princess” is told by Hisako Matsubara based on a tale from Taketori Monogatari, (Tales of the Bamboo Wood Cutter”} believed to be the first fiction story in Japanese history printed using flat color inks like a wood block is printed.
The end papers are thick washi with bamboo leaves embed into the paper as it was made.
Both illustrators are famous printmakers.
What makes these books collectable ?
These are are first editions and first printings, 1966, published by Kodansha and printed in Japan. The illustrations are original wood cuts, and cut paper printed as flat color, some using black ink and some using color. They are NOT printed four color process, i. e, no screen mixed dots. This is an unusual printing method for a book.
On some of the black ink images there are tints created using a pattern of ink to make the tints but they are not dot patterns such as used in 4 color process printing. Some of them appear to be spattered or stenciled and some are brushed calligraphy work where small amount of ink is brushed as part of a brush stroke.
Each color is its own press print, so while they are not four color process they could have been printed on a multicolor press .The illustrations visually read as if they are original art
The paper for the pages is high quality Japanese washi and each signature appears to be a one flat printed both sides and folded into a two page signature.
Both books are inserted into a hard paper dust cover.
Condition is very good. Price is $100.00 includes both books (not each).