Gento [Magic Lantern]

KAWAKAMI (Sumio).

Gento [Magic Lantern]

An inscribed copy, with the early folding case

First edition, no. 16 of 20 copies, signed. 15 hand coloured woodblock printed vignettes, text also printed in woodblock. 300 by 185mm; case measuring 310 by 215mm. Modified yamato-toji binding with original card wrappers with woodblock printed title to upper, original decorative paper-covered card folding case with colour woodblock printed title slip, hinge of folding case cracked and discolouration to boards, the book itself in fine condition. Unpaginated, [1], [18], [1]pp. Tochigi (Ono-en ju), privately printed, Showa 19 [i.e, 1944.

£1,750.00

One of only twenty copies, inscribed to ‘Tomo Toshimitsu’ (dates unknown).

This is a highly nostalgic piece of writing; Kawakami reminisces on his childhood, sitting with his mother, grandmother and sister looking at the pictures projected from their magic lantern. He writes how, 40 years later, he lights the lantern again on a cold, moonlit night. He reflects on the transportive powers of the lantern, and he is immediately taken out of his loneliness into the memories of his childhood. It is particularly poignant in the context WWII.

Kawakami earned a modest living during WWII after losing his job as a high school English teacher in 1942 when English language education was banned from the curriculum. He made beautiful woodblock printed books which he sold to private customers, of which the present copy is one.

One copy in OCLC (National Diet Library).

Stock No.

255955

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Gento [Magic Lantern]

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