Author: Colin Franklin

Publisher/Date: British Library Board 2005 Published at $85.00

ISBN: 1584-56164-5 978-1584-56164-4

Format/Condition: New hardcover book with dust jacket in fine condition, 157 pages, index, illustrated with 93 color plates.

Description: The theme of this book is books as art: books and scrolls of old Japan, printed and painted and calligraphic, from the eighth century to the twentieth century.

Reprinted in reduced size of the original edition published by the Book Club of California, San Francisco which was limited to 450 copies. That edition was designed by Jonathan Clark at The Artichoke Press. This edition, complete, makes the book available to a wider audience.

Antiquarian Colin Franklin explores the rich history of calligraphy, printing, and bookmaking in Japan; supplemented by examples from his extensive collection of Japanese books and scrolls. There are 93 beautiful color plates with the text set in Scripps College Old Style, originally designed by Frederic W. Goudy. Decorations throughout the book are taken from traditional Japanese patterns.