初山滋 [= Shigeru Hatsuyama]

のりものゑほん : のったりのせたり篇 / Norimono wehon: Nottari nose tari-hen [= Vehicle Picture Book: Riding and Loading Edition]

[Tokyo]: [Dōgyokan], 1951. 7" x 8.5" pp. [40]. Limited edition of 100 copies; "handmade picture book number two" stated on the edition page. A myriad of indigo pages with black and white playful illustrations on each one; all types of bikes and trikes, "Honey-moon" trains, rickshaws, and a bride lassoing a groom, among a few examples. Cream boards show light wear; bound with four fasteners. Includes black cover jacket and original brown box; enclosed in blue case. One copy in OCLC at the time of cataloging.


Item #2684

Shigeru Hatsuyama (1897-1973) was born in Tokyo, Japan. After graduating from elementary school, he began working at a pattern painting studio and later studied Japanese painting under Sengai Ikawa. Hatsuyama attracted attention with his cover illustration for the children’s magazine Otogi no Sekai (Fairy World) in 1919. Since then, he gained widespread recognition as an illustrator for children with his works for such picture magazines as Kodomo no Kuni (Children’s Land). In 1927, along with Takeo Takei, Kiichi Okamoto, and other artists, he formed the Japan Association of Illustrators for Children. During World War II, as work for children’s books declined sharply, Hatsuyama focused on creating woodblock prints. In 1946, he and others founded the Japan Association of Illustrations for Children. (Chihiro Art Museum).

Price: $650.00