Bird-Dieties in China

Ascona: Artibus Asiae, 1952. First edition. Hardcover. Orig. brick cloth lettered in gilt. Very good. 191 pages in text. Folio, 32 x 24 cm. Limited edition, copy 18 of 350. Sixty-one full page plates. extensive List of References, Index of Subjects and Places. In myths from China and Japan, the phoenix does not emerge from a fire but instead causes itself to be reborn during times of good fortune. Cultures in northern Europe and Asia credited birds with establishing their social orders, especially kingships. The Japanese believed that sacred birds guided their second emperor in conquering his enemies before the founding of his dynasty.