Maggs Bros.

An entirely charming pair of books in Kamisaki’s characteristic katazome style. In one volume, a series of outdoor lamps is paired with book plate designs for moths. Kamisaki’s humour shines through as he imagines which moths might be attracted to which lamp. In the other volume, we see freestanding indoor lamps paired with a variety of matchbox designs. There is greater variety in the subject matter of the matchboxes compared to the moths’ bookplates – we are shown a cat holding an umbrella, a monkey holding a fan, Momotaro (the folk story of ‘Peach Boy’), as well as Kamisaki’s usual fascination with clocks and dolls.

15 ‘family copies’ were made, in addition to an edition of 50 copies. The present set are both signed ‘family copy’ (kazobon) in the colophon. Though there are two volumes, the books are not numbered. For this reason, bibliographies do not always list this title as ‘2 vols.’ (ni-satsu).

Rare. No copies in OCLC.