Shita Kiri Suzume [The Tongue-Cut Sparrow] - Japanese Fairy Tale in English

Shita Kiri Suzume [The Tongue-Cut Sparrow] - Japanese Fairy Tale in English Very scarce true 1st edition in plain brown covers

Shita Kiri Suzume [The Tongue-Cut Sparrow]. Translated by David Thompson.

Tokyo. Kobunsha. 1885.

18pp. 18.4 x 12.7cm.

This is from the earliest series of Japanese fairy tales. The title slip which was also the colophon has worn away but would have stated the publisher as Kobunsha (not Hasegawa as well). Woodblock printed but uncoloured as issued. It seems that very few of these black and white editions were published as Kobunsha/Hasegawa soon released their series of coloured books with the same colophon dates as these true first editions.

In fair to good condition. Some wear and stains along with a few short worm trails affecting a few pages. Old previous owner's name pencilled inside rear cover.

nb32060026