Kokugo Mukashibanashi - Bunbuku Chagama Previously unknown work with crepe paper cover
[Japan] Seemingly unknown work that was clearly made to help children learn Japanese and the English alphabet. The Ministry of Education is mentioned at the end of the book but there is no publishing information. Interestingly, the cover has an error in the Japanese title ('Bunbuku Chagama' is written, 'Bunbuku Chamaga'. One would think there may well be other fairy tales in a similar format but this is the first such work we have seen. The copperplate illustrations are actually very good and the front cover is printed on crepe paper. It seems that very few copies may have survived.
No publisher. No place [probably Tokyo]. ND (c1890).
9 leaves. 19 x 10.5cm.
In only fair condition. Covers worn with staining and some loss. Internally fair with some loss at edges and the damaged parts have been repaired/backed with Japanese paper. Binding is fragile but holding nicely. nb36050004
