KAMISAKI, Sunao. ~ Chimei ateji ehon [Picture Book of Place Names]; with, Bunbutsu ateji ehon [Picture book of cultural objects]; and, Jinmei-ateji ehon [Picture Book of People].
No. 30 of a limited edition of 300 sets. 3 volumes. Each 24 pp. entirely stencil-printed with each double page with an image and stencil-printed text in Japanese and English in several colours. Each volume measures 8 x 6 cm, each volume bound accordian style in different colour paper covered boards and folding cases iwth clasps - green, rust red and blue, all with stencil-printed title label on the book and the case. In excellent condition.
A charming set designed as a trio centred on a general theme of Western ‘names’ - of people, places and things (bunbutsu, or ‘cultural objects).
The volume on people contains portraits of 10 Western thinkers including Descartes, Hippocrates, Shakespeare and Kant with the name in English and Japanese and each with a quote in Japanese.
The volume on places takes us on a journey round the world with images of famous sites such the Alps, the Sahara Desert, the Eiffel Tower, Cognac, Bordeaux and the Eiffel Tower and Greenwich.
The volume of things, or cultural objects includes a curious mix including a hotel (the Swan), coffee, lamps and a kiss.
Sunao Kamisaki was born in 1932 and is known for his many books stencil-printed using katazome techniques. He was initially trained in hand-painted textiles but moved to learning how to make paper in the 1950s. In the 1970s he began using the katazome dyeing process and then started making books in the 1980s.