TAJIMA, Shiichi (1869-1920). Masterpieces Selected from the Ukiyoye School. Tokyo: The Shimbi Shoin, 1906-1909.

5 volumes, folio. Half-titles, 170 plates, including 69 printed in color on silk, and 95 printed in color, a few folding, lettered tissue guards, numerous in-text illustrations. (Some occasional spotting.) Original color-printed pictorial silk over beveled boards, sewn with purple silk cord, top and bottom edges gilt, fore-edge uncut (some wear to extremities and minor soiling and fading).

FIRST EDITION, LIMITED ISSUE, number 67 of 100 sets of the “Edition de Luxe.” Considered the masterpiece of the acclaimed Shimbi Shoin publishing house, this work took over 10 years to produce. English-language explanatory text accompanies the detailed wood engravings in the Japanese ukiyo-e tradition. Many of these woodblocks were printed on silk, a technique pioneered by Shimbi Shoin. The binding of each volume depicts a different image.

Property from the Dorros Family Collection