Two Japanese Diaries Filled with Touching Original Drawings and Text (Circa 1940)
A set of two journals filled with lovely, delicate, touching and sometimes whimsical original watercolors and drawings, circa 1940. Presumed to be a young Japanese woman's diary/journal, or perhaps "natsuyasumi no shukudai" the "summer vacation homework" assigned to Japanese students during the summer break, often in the form of keeping a diary or other writing projects.
There are seven full-page watercolor drawings (6" x 8 7/8"), and 28 other pages feature a combination of watercolors or drawings partnered with neatly lettered kanji text in pencil. The remaining pages are text only, with some pages featuring arithmetic and math divisions.
The smaller drawings surrounding the text are often trees, delicate flowers, small scenes with people or children, maybe a monkey or Mt. Fuji, and often with a neat penciled border. Some drawings are reminiscent of Henry Darger's work, and quite skilled with fully realized scenes or stories.
One journal contains about 50 pages of writing and/or drawings (out of the 100-page journal), the other journal has 31 pages with writing or drawing. The remaining pages are blank. A special collection of drawings, charming and quite skilled in execution. Item #1486.
Condition: Very Good-, toning to the newsprint-type paper with some spotting and soiling/staining, more pronounced around the edges and along the interior spine folds; some small chips, scuffing and edgewear to covers, more prominent on one journal; a few page tears and page creases; both journals are detached from their simple string bindings; both now in custom-made protective mylar jackets.
Price: $550.00