A proof copy of a printed album of playing card samples
8vo (245 x 168 mm.), orig. wrappers, orig. paper stitching. [Japan]: from upper wrapper (in trans.): “1801…July.”
A very rare proof copy, roughly printed, of a sample book of a variety of Japanese playing cards (karuta かるた; from the Portuguese carta), introduced by the Portuguese traders during the late 16th century. The variety of card games we find in this album includes:
1. Hyakunin Isshu karuta (百人一首かるた, “poetry karuta”). This is the most famous card game, in which 100 (or fewer) waka poems are written on two sets of 100 (or fewer) cards. This proof album contain ten different sizes or formats of the cards, both the yomifuda (読札, “reading cards”), which have the poem taken from the Hyakunin Isshu (百人一首), and torifuda (取り札, “grabbing cards”), which each correspond to a yomifuda and have only the last few lines of the corresponding poem, the poet’s name, and an illustration. To make it more complex, the sets vary in format and text.
2. Bakemono sanjūrokkasen karuta (ばけ物三十六歌仙かるた, “36 Immortal Poets on Goblins karuta”).
3. Tatoe karuta (たとえかるた, “Proverb Matching karuta”).
4. Jūni gatsu karuta (十二月かるた, “Twelve Months of the Year karuta”).
5. Shinpan fūryū koka jūni kasane e irogami karuta (新板風流古歌拾貮重絵色紙歌瑠多, “22 Colored karuta”).
6. Kawayose karuta (川よせかるた, “On the River karuta”).
This is an extremely interesting example of a roughly printed proof copy and is the first we have encountered. In some cases, the registration is awry, with woodcuts extending beyond the paper. The printer clearly inked the woodblocks a little lightly, and the printing is uneven. Every folding leaf has a black seal at the foot, and the printer has used this seal on the stitching to indicate this is an integral printing.
Very good copy, preserved in a chitsu.
A very rare proof copy, roughly printed, of a sample book of a variety of Japanese playing cards (karuta かるた; from the Portuguese carta), introduced by the Portuguese traders during the late 16th century. The variety of card games we find in this album includes:
1. Hyakunin Isshu karuta (百人一首かるた, “poetry karuta”). This is the most famous card game, in which 100 (or fewer) waka poems are written on two sets of 100 (or fewer) cards. This proof album contain ten different sizes or formats of the cards, both the yomifuda (読札, “reading cards”), which have the poem taken from the Hyakunin Isshu (百人一首), and torifuda (取り札, “grabbing cards”), which each correspond to a yomifuda and have only the last few lines of the corresponding poem, the poet’s name, and an illustration. To make it more complex, the sets vary in format and text.
2. Bakemono sanjūrokkasen karuta (ばけ物三十六歌仙かるた, “36 Immortal Poets on Goblins karuta”).
3. Tatoe karuta (たとえかるた, “Proverb Matching karuta”).
4. Jūni gatsu karuta (十二月かるた, “Twelve Months of the Year karuta”).
5. Shinpan fūryū koka jūni kasane e irogami karuta (新板風流古歌拾貮重絵色紙歌瑠多, “22 Colored karuta”).
6. Kawayose karuta (川よせかるた, “On the River karuta”).
This is an extremely interesting example of a roughly printed proof copy and is the first we have encountered. In some cases, the registration is awry, with woodcuts extending beyond the paper. The printer clearly inked the woodblocks a little lightly, and the printing is uneven. Every folding leaf has a black seal at the foot, and the printer has used this seal on the stitching to indicate this is an integral printing.
Very good copy, preserved in a chitsu.
Details
Title
A proof copy of a printed album of playing card samples
Author
PLAYING CARDS (KARUTA かるた)
Condition
Unknown