Off topic – Hiroshige from Taschen Publisher

This might be slightly off topic, but since the members of this group are interested in beautifully illustrated books, I’d like to recommend “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo” from Taschen Publisher which I ordered/received a few days ago. You can find some nice picture of the book on the Taschen homepage:

http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/art/all/00343/facts.hiroshige_one_hund...

I you use the “Leaf Through” button you can actually view the whole book. Stunning! This is an option that I would like to see on the FS homepage.

For those you are interested, the book is currently heavily discounted (44%) at amazon.co.uk and available for only GBP 56!

it's beautiful - and in three languages, too!

The danger is that if Folio used this system I'd be buying even more books. Great for them, great for me, serious problem for my wife who would have to start working nights and weekends.

Any thoughts on how that one compares to this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Hiroshige-One-Hundred-Famous-Views/dp/0807611433/

?

I'm in love with Taschen's binding.

>4 gistak:
It is difficult to judge the quality of paper, binding and photographic reproduction from the available information, but the Taschen version is surely larger (16.7 x 14.4 inch) and comes in a nice bookcase.

I have my library currently split between two locations, Netherland where I live/work and my home country Germany. My copy of the One Hundred Famous Views of Edo has been delivered to Germany, so I haven't seen it yet but I was told that it looks fabulous. I will be in Germany next weekend to provide you with more detailed information about the book.

In addition to the Hiroshige I also bought "Les Passages d'Outremer. A Chronicle of the Crusades" from Taschen.

http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/classics/all/05056/facts.mamerot_les_p...

It is a two volume set that contains a facsimile of the original and a commentary volume. Unfortunately the "leaf through" option only covers the commentary. The Taschen homepage claims that the facsimile is "accurate down to the color of the medieval gold heightening". I would like to know how it compares to the Book of Hours from FS.

As the Hiroshige it is currently discounted at amazon uk.

Finally I had some time to handle my copy of One Hundred Famous Views of Edo. Absolutely stunning! The box, bound in printed silk, folds completely open after removing two (fake) bone clips and reveals the book bound in the same type of printed silk. The book itself has a soft cover and good quality paper that feels rather thin compared to FS editions. However cover and each page is bound in a double fold (i.e. the long edge is not cut open) to prevent print or text shining through. I am sure there is a proper technical term for this, and I apologise for my clumsy description. The soft cover and thin paper results in a rather flexible binding that needs to be handled carefully and is probably not to everybody’s taste, but in my view it adds to the “exotic” flair of the book. The reproductions of Hiroshige’s wood cuts are as impressive as the rest of the book. I can’t believe that Taschen/Amazon can offer this book at that prize.

I am equally impressed by the quality of “Les Passages d'Outremer”. The reproductions are beautiful and Taschen’s claim about the accuracy of the “medieval gold heightening” doesn’t seem to be exaggerated either (however I should add that they don’t use real gold leaf like in some high-end facsimiles). I really would like to compare it to the Fitzwilliam Book of Hours from FS. Guess I should organise a trip to the Members Room soon

>8 Stephan68:
cover and each page is bound in a double fold (i.e. the long edge is not cut open)

I have a copy of the Rubaiyat with pages like this, but bound in a 'traditional' leather binding. This style of page block is called oriental fold style by the publisher. I suspect this style developed so printing can be done on only one side of the sheet before it's folded and bound.

Os.

"However cover and each page is bound in a double fold (i.e. the long edge is not cut open) to prevent print or text shining through. I am sure there is a proper technical term for this..."

I believe it would be classified as "French-fold" usually, but your particular book is probably more accurately called a "Japanese fold," depending on how it's bound:

"French fold is blank on the insides and printed on a thicker stock. Japanese has a small-gauge pattern print on the insides of leaves to eliminate text confusion due to the extremely light translucent paper used in Japanese books. The difference is in the binding... French is perfect bound, Japanese is cotton stitched."

Now all the books I have that are described as "French-fold" are uncut on the tops and the side. I have also heard the method of just having the side uncut (as in your book) described as "Japanese style French-fold." Perhaps a knowledgeable member of this group can differentiate the styles.

>10 Django6924:
I'd be willing to bet that the publisher will call it whatever will sell best. :-)

FWIW, ABC for Book Collectors has no entry for "French fold", "Japanese fold", or "Oriental fold".

Os.

"I'd be willing to be" corrected

Having the fold at the fore-edge is a fairly typical traditional Japanese binding style. It's sometimes called a "pouch book".

>11 Ealhmund:

Os., it just goes to show how sadly the awareness of fine book-making techniques has deteriorated in the last 50 years. Here's a link to a definition of "French fold"--which is, I think the proper terminology among bookmakers for the basic kind of book we are discussing (minus the frills and furbelows of numerous Bulgarian and/or Oriental variants):

http://www.bindery.com.au/glossary.htm#f

There is also the following definition from the Bibliomania website (I copied and pasted it here to preclude you having to scroll down endlessly):

French-Fold Pages

Pages formed by folding a sheet so that pages are joined at the fore-edge or top edge and printed on the outer sides only. The insides of the folds are blank. The appearance is the same as "unopened pages" with the exception that there is no printing inside the fold. Sometimes referred to incorrectly! (poster's note) as "accordion fold."

And here is a link to a picture of a "French-fold book bound in the Japanese fashion," (all of which reminds me of a favorite film by Alain Resnais):

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r207/z...

For the best explanation of what a French-fold book is like, buy a Heritage Press edition of any of the following: Wilde's Salome, the KJV of The Book of Proverbs, The Song of Songs or the Arthur Szyk-illustrated Rubaiyat, and get one that has the Sandglass pamphlet included. As that pamphlet explains, when using a very thin paper, in the days before titanium white could be added to increase a paper's opacity, it was a method that allowed bookmakers to achieve a very dense black for the printed text.

Thanks a lot for the information Django6924! I knew that I could count on your expertise in this area. From the definitions provided by you I would definitely describe it as "French-fold book bound in the Japanese fashion". The pages are joint at the fore-edge and the inside of the folds are blank. The paper is thin but not really translucent, and the binding is cotton stitched.

Wow, I finally broke down and got this for myself. I'm in love! It is clear a lot of thought went in to the design of this book: the silk presentation box, the binding, paper. I won't go into more detail as others already have, but I will add that if you were holding off getting this book I recommend caving immediately. I only regret I didn't get it sooner for myself.

Please note: the above is not to be confused with this edition:

http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/art/all/64901/facts.hiroshige_one_hund...

>15 Tanglewood: Congratulations Tanglewood! It is a stunning book indeed.

>16 LaCamera: The reduced size, reduced price anniversary editions from Taschen are usually very good value form money but in this case I prefer the original.

> 17

I appreciate the anniversary editions, but Taschen needs to do a better job of differentiating them from the originals. Often, they have the same titles, and almost invariably similar covers. They often trip me up, and I tend to be more than a casual Taschen enthusiast.

I went for the anniversary edition (having no bookshelf high enough to hold the original). Received it today and I'm really impressed; haven't started reading/browsing it yet, but very much look forward to it. It is great value for the money - £20 incl. shipping from an abebooks seller (new/shrink-wrapped) for what are obviously superior production values.

Here are some photos for those who are interested: http://picasaweb.google.com/Mr.Dragon.Smith/Hiroshige?authkey=Gv1sRgCNj32Z7Wvdyi...

Do those anniversary editions differ in anything from the originals besides the size and the price?

And in addition, do you know of similar books for other famous Ukiyo-e cycles?

ugggh.

now I'm flipping through their XL Magic book. Must. Not. Buy.

http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/popculture/all/00378/facts.magic_1400s...

> 19 Stunning - thanks for the images. Amazing value too @ £28 direct from Taschen if no suitable secondary market copies are available.

I just bought it too, marvellous colours, beautiful paper, wonderful value (I paid 30 euros from bookdepository).

> 19 This is why I love this group. Just when I'm sitting at home, thinking "God, I have way too much money and loads of room on my bookshelves just waiting to be filled!", someone comes along with an excellent suggestion of how to make use of my bounteous funds.

Seriously, though - those are some great images, and I'm absolutely in love with the presentation. This has definitely just entered my "must buy" list...

"And in addition, do you know of similar books for other famous Ukiyo-e cycles?"

Someone on Amazon has very conveniantly provided a list, which looks like a reasonable starting point (Hokusai's work looks really beautiful):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ukiyo-e/lm/R2KPN97EXARY0C/ref=cm_lmt_dtpa_f_1_rdssss0

The Amazon price for the Hiroshige is incredibly tempting.

ed to add:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hiroshige-Sixty-nine-Kisokaido-Sebastian-Izzard/dp/08076...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kawase-Hasui-Complete-Woodblock-Prints/dp/9074822460/ref...

and an academic study on the subject:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ukiyo-Themes-Gian-Carlo-Calza/dp/0714845388/ref=cm_lmf_t...

There also appear to be quite a few nicely produced volumes by varies Museums and Art Academies etc many of which are out of print but may well be available on the secondary market - at a significant cost! Just with this very brief look I couldn't find anything to match the elegant production design of the Taschen volume though.

It looks to be an interesting subject area with a wide variety of themes, from landscape through to erotica.

Huxley, many many thanks. Even though I've been to Japan just once, and even then just for a 3-day work trip (so, haven't seen anything at all, really), I have a mild version of Japan obsession, and there's something in those woodblock-prints that seem to fire that obsession up a notch or two.

One of my favorite artists is Utamaro (18th century; famous most of all for his portraits); couldn't quickly find a definitive book on Amazon, but this one seems to have good reviews: http://www.amazon.com/Utamaro-Revealed-Gina-Collia-Suzuki/dp/0955979609/ref=tag_... (it's probably more of a study, akin to the FS Leonardo and Michelangelo, rather than an 'art book' per se).

And last thing, my mild Japanese obsession and my dire Gaiman obsession came together in one of my favorite books, The Dream Hunters; it's a beautifully told story, profoundly Gaiman-y (though it is presented as a retelling of an ancient Japanese folktale, it isn't - Gaiman said in an interview that it was his original story), illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano, famous for his spirits and fairies illustrations/paintings. (By the way, though it's a part of the Sandman series, it's a standalone book and knowledge of the world of Sandman is not necessary, though it does help to understand some of the scenes.)

edit: misspelled Amano's name.

> 25

No problem at all, happy to oblige - I see a book related question and the librarian in me is compelled to go and attempt to find something with which to answer it: I never know when whatever I find may come in useful.

I can second your recommendation for The Dream Hunters it 'is' beautiful and rather poignant, and short. And I can add one for the FS Japanese Short Stories (Touchstone isn't working so I won't bother) 400+ pages with 28 stories and some really nice b&w illustrations (not enough of them though). The stories are arranged chronologically and date from the Twelth Century through to the late twentieth, and are a fascinating glimpse into a culture that I know little about. The book is in full cloth series binding.

>19 BorisG: Boris, I have the original edition and as far as I can tell from your pictures, the only difference to the anniversary edition (besides the size) is the folder that holds the book. In the original edition it has two additional flaps on the top and bottom to completely enclose the book, but I would consider this a very minor detail. At £20 it is a real bargain. Congratulations!

Is the paper French fold?

the paper is quite thin and folded at the front edge as described in >8 Stephan68: and following above.

In that case size seems to be the only main difference. Thinking about the relatively thin paper, I always have the feeling that I need to be rather careful when turning the pages to prevent marks or even tears. I guess that the slightly smaller format of the anniversary edition might even be of advantage.

>27 Stephan68:, 29

I see, thanks for the info, Stephan. I've just read parts of the introduction and looked at several prints, and it's a great experience. I did not feel the paper was in risk of being damaged - maybe the smaller size does help, as you say. (The size of the original prints was 36-37cm in height; the reproductions are 26-27, so 75% of the originals' size.)

I am slightly worried about how the silken (I'm not sure what it is, in fact, but it certainly has a silky feel to it) binding will react to the humidity here in Israel. Will know in a few days, I guess.

Coincidentally, this:

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/books/antiquarian-rare-design/collectible-japan-tokyo-...

is appearing as a link on the abebooks.co.uk homepage today.

Deep pockets required I fear.

Since there seem to be a fair few knowledgeable Taschen people here, I was wondering if I could get some feedback on the Taschen 25 series. I'm mostly interested in the hardback books on individual artists - the Chagall volume is here (http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/art/all/01577/facts.chagall.htm) for an example.

They look like extraordinarily good value; many are available at Amazon for £6-7, and even at full price (£9) direct from Taschen, they seem quite a good deal.

ETA: Couldn't get the link to work and it splinched my comment!

> 32 I have the original Taschen publication of Franz Lanting's 'Eye to Eye', and I have just compared it to the description of the 25 series reprint. As far as I can tell, it is pretty much identical apart from the reprint being marginally smaller in two dimensions. The quality of the original is excellent and the price of £8.44 inc of p&p (from Amazon) for the 25 series makes this look like an incredible bargain. If this is mirrored across the series then they look very good indeed.

>33 HuxleyTheCat: Thanks for that. I thought they seemed almost too good to be true, but it looks like I might have to take the plunge and pick up a few of these!

Spoonfed: I can't remember if it is in the Taschen 25 series or not but the Diego Rivera book is awesome. I've had it in my hands a couple of times at the Taschen store but haven't pulled the trigger yet due to other books ahead of it in the never ending wish list queue.

A nice little video on multicolour woodblock printing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dliF74ojOho

Makes me appreciate the craftsmanship of Hiroshige even more!

Many thanks, Stephan, it's absolutely fascinating. The book describes the process in words, but that's definitely a case when one video is worth much more.

Edit: By the way, Hiroshige himself did not do this work - he worked only on the original painting, and indicated the colours to be used in the printmaking process; the rest of the work was then divided between professional woodcutters and printers. (So in fact, he did none of the work we see in the video)

You are absolutely right Boris about the production of the prints. I should have written that I am impressed about the time and craftsmanship that goes into the production of the prints.

Just a few days ago I watched a BBC documentary about Hokusai’s The Great Wave. Hokusai worked together with a publisher, who was responsible for the printing process. I would assume that this was the standard process for most Japanese artist who worked in this medium.

> You don't have a title for that documentary do you Stephan?

It is part of the BBC series ‘The Private Life of a Masterpiece’:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Private-Life-Masterpiece-Complete-DVD/dp/B000R343P8/ref=...

If you are interested in art in general I can highly recommend the DVD set.

Excellent - many thanks.

Following the Taschen Hiroshige example Prestel publisher has produced a large format, Japanese binding, French fold book about Hokusai woodprints:

http://www.artnspire.com/life-work-of-hokusai

It is even on sale at amazon (UK):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hokusai-Matthi-Forrer/dp/3791344382/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&a...

Happen to have a reproduction of the wave : which makes me f**** sad. Took it down :-(

>42 Stephan68: I've got a copy, highly recommended.

>44 kdweber: Thanks for the recommendation! I am seriously tempted by this. How does it compare to the Taschen Hiroshige in terms of binding, paper quality and quality of reproduction?

>45 Stephan68: I've got both books. Nice paper and print quality. The cover and binding are not quite as nice as the Taschen Hiroshige - no clasps and no silk tied binding.

>46 kdweber: Thanks for the information. Looks like April is going to be an expensive month for me.

Found a new copy of the large format Taschen Hiroshige in a local bookshop today. At the ridiculously low price of £39 I'm very tempted even though I have the smaller Taschen edition. If anyone is interested then pm me and I'll let you have the bookshop details - at least that would remove temptation for me :o)

The one in the box?

I'm tempted, but being 4000 miles away probably makes it impractical.

>49 ironjaw: This one, Faisel: http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/art/all/00343/facts.hiroshige_one_hund...

It comes in a Japanese-style, solander-style (sorry, can't think of any better way to describe it) box, which has a silk finish, unlike the glossy cardboard of the smaller edition.

>50 coynedj: Given how much overseas postage would be from the UK you may well be better off trying to source one via abe or similar. It's a very large and heavy book.

I posted this in another topic, but it belongs here as well:

If you're a fan of Hiroshige, I highly recommend The Sketchbooks of Hiroshige published by George Braziller. The 1984 first edition comes in two cloth-bound, fan-folded volumes in a nice slipcase. A very lovely set with an unusual printing/binding method, and can be found in fine condition for less than $100. If you don't mind a couple sticker stains on the back of the slipcase, here's a perfectly good copy on ebay for $23: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sketchbooks-Hiroshige-Hiroshige-Ando-Japanese-art-/15098....

I just ran an Amazon listing of Hiroshige volumes, and was surprised to see some Kindle-only editions. Not having a Kindle, I wonder why anyone would buy a collection of art prints in a Kindle edition.