[IMAEDA, SHŌICHIRŌ]. 今枝庄一郎.

勅題干支図案帖. [Chokudai eto zuanchō].

Nagoya: 帝国菓子飴新聞社. [Teikoku Kashiame Shinbunsha]. Taisho 7 [ 1918]. Stock ID #179446

12 delicate full page colour plates, text on inside cover, unpaginated. In oblong soft washi colour printed wrappers bound with silk ties. One leaf has a closed tear now repaired with archival washi at its lower edge, edges and covers rubbed and worn, inside covers show some light staining, small chip lower cover, still a lovely copy. Scarce, we have not been able to locate another copy. 17.5 x 25cm.

This lovely book contains a collection of beautiful designs of delicate Japanese style sweets for the 1918 New Year celebration. That year two main themes were featured: the ram, and, the shining snow in the morning sun. The ram was, of course, chosen as 1918 was the Year of Ram while the shining snow in the morning sun (朝晴雪) was the theme of the Imperial poetry reading ceremony for that new year. Each year a designated poetry theme was announced and people sent their poems hoping to be selected.

Japanese sweets are often described as artistic reflecting seasonal changes in their design. According to the author, this collection was issued to inspire confectionary artisans to create their own designs. Each design delicate and small sweet has a charm and interest all of its own. The designs include some that are quite abstract, each unified by their expression of the forthcoming New Year celebrations.

When referring to this item please quote stockid 179446.

Price: $475.00 AU

other currencies