SPL Hand Coloured Rare Book Collection Featuring Norman R Bobins

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ISE, Sadatake.
Gun-yoki.

The complete work of Japanese noble and scholar Heizo Sadatake Ise on samurai customs, reprinted during the peaceful Edo era when samurai became the stewards and chamberlains of the daimyo estates. Traditional karitoji binding ("semi-bound" meaning title page and contents without a book cover) is string-stitched at the spine, fukurotoji style ("bound-pocket" with folded leaves bound into the spine), and opening from left to right.

Published
Unknown: [Japan, ca. 1761]
Plates
35
Binding/Size
M=4to
Value
0-5000
Published
Unknown: [Japan, ca. 1761]
Ref
1564

A work consisting of seven 4to volumes, each with stitching and striped paper covers. Written in several columns with red annotations and official-looking red stamps throughout. First volume with a loose slip-on identification paper to front cover. In good condition, but some worming has occurred. A book on the customs and manners of the Samurai, or warrior, written by Sadatake Ise during the latter half of the eighteenth century. The Ise family handed down the ancient customs and ways of the Samurai from the generation dating back to the warring period of the 14th century. At the time of Sadatake Ise, during the Edo period, it was peaceful, without civil war; however, this book was helpful as the Samurai still needed to know their ways and manners, etc. One of the indispensable books for scholars of Medieval Japanese history, or samurai history. Volume 1 is about costumes, Volumes 2-4 are about military arms, swords, etc., and Volumes 5-6 are about items in the field, like banners and fans, etc. Volume 7 is all about identifying a deceased VIP, a most crucial task of a Samurai during the warring periods. There are too many illustrations to list, and many are uncoloured, so I will only list a select few illustrations from each volume. Coloured plates in order: Volume I. 1. Costume plate. 2-3. Ribboned headwear. 4-5. Headwear. Volume II. 1. Protective headwear. 2. Protective collar. 3-4. Protective body armour. 5. Protective armour. 6-7. (As above). Volume III. 1. Coloured emblem. 2-6. Assorted body armour. Volume IV. 1. Samurai sword. 2. Samurai accessories. 3. Samurai archery bows. 4. Items of furniture. Volume V. 1. Fan with an emblem that we now associate as a Nazi swasticker. 2. Mat or rug? 3. Decorative head-dress? 4. Samurai horseman in warrior regalia. 5. Field equipment? Volume VI. 1. Stick. 2. Field equipment (pole). Volume VII. 1. Three depictions of a dead person's decapitated head. 2-3. Ceremonial table layouts?