This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/21/2024
[JAPANESE WOODBLOCKS]. [SILKWORM PRODUCTION - A. K. A. SERICULTURE]. YAHEI, Tajima (1822-1898). Zokui Yosan Shinron. [Additional New Theories on Sericulture]. Tokyo: Iaumodera Manjiro, Meiji 12 [1879]. Historically significant and exceedingly scarce nineteenth century Japanese treatise on sericulture (the making of silk), by the man who remembered as “the father of modern sericulture and silkworm rearing methods”, describing and illustrating his then revolutionary methods for better nurturing of the silk worms from which the fine thread is harvested, and ultimately producing higher quality silk, the inventions having become the standard for the industry and still employed today, produced in woodblock print. 8vo. 3 volumes, 278 pages combined, plus publisher’s details to yellow frontispiece leaf in first volume. The complete text, illustrated with 10 pages of wood printed illustrations, two of which are fully hand colored, and two being partially hand coloured. Traditional karitoji paper binding string-stitched at spine, fukurotoji style (“bound-pocket” with folded leafs bound into spine), and opening from left to right. Black paper covers, with title label to front, the first volume with a red ink stamp to publisher’s detail leaf. All text is in Japanese. Approximately 8 ¾ x 5 ½”. Minor wear to boards, otherwise very good and original condition, internally bright, a pleasing historic work dealing with silk production in Japan. Full description available upon request.