<p>Artistic exchanges between Japan and France from 1854 onwards rank among the most fruitful in the history of art.</p> <p>The fascination exerted by Eastern art on French writers, combined with the ability of Japanese artists to assimilate Western techniques, sparked an extraordinary wave of creativity that gave rise to numerous masterpieces, coveted by collectors for nearly two centuries.</p>

Captivating Japan

Artistic exchanges between Japan and France from 1854 onwards rank among the most fruitful in the history of art.

The fascination exerted by Eastern art on French writers, combined with the ability of Japanese artists to assimilate Western techniques, sparked an extraordinary wave of creativity that gave rise to numerous masterpieces, coveted by collectors for nearly two centuries.

112 results
Captivating Japan
  1. Japoneries d'automne
    Pierre LOTI (inscribed to Alphonse DAUDET)

    Japoneries d'automne

    Calmann Lévy|Paris 1889|12 x 18.50 cm|relié
    First edition.
    Contemporary Bradel binding of half purple cloth over marbled paper boards, spine (faded) with gold fillets, brown shagreen label with title and author.
    Handsome autograph inscription signed by Pierre Loti to Alphonse Daudet : "... avec ma meilleure affection...[…with my best wishes…]"
    Julia Daudet's library stamp to head of one endpaper.
    A little spotting.
    €1,500
  2. Lettres chinoises , ou correspondance philosophique , historique & critique , entre un Chinois Voyageur & ses correspondants à la Chine , en Perse & au Japon . Nouvelle édition augmentée de nouvelles lettres & de quantité de remarques. [Ensemble] Songes philosophiques, par l'auteur des lettres juives
    Jean-Baptiste de Boyer ARGENS

    Lettres chinoises , ou correspondance philosophique , historique & critique , entre un Chinois Voyageur & ses correspondants à la Chine , en Perse & au Japon . Nouvelle édition augmentée de nouvelles lettres & de quantité de remarques. [Ensemble] Songes philosophiques, par l'auteur des lettres juives

    Chez Pierre Paupie|à La Haye; [The Hague] • à Berlin 1755 - 1746|8 x 14.50 cm|6 volumes reliés

    New edition (third?) and first in 6 volumes. The first edition dates from 1746. Les Songes philosophiques are in first edition.
    Contemporary full speckled brown calf bindings. Smooth spines decorated. Red morocco title and volume labels. Triple gilt fillet and star cornerpieces on boards. All edges red. Three head caps and three tail caps worn. A few corners very slightly bumped.
    The Lettres chinoises, inaugurated by the same author as the Lettres juives have this typical Enlightenment design of comparing the customs and habits of several civilizations; the work takes up the scheme, always humorous, of the first work of this type: L'espion de la...

    €900
  3. Mario Botta
    COLLECTIF

    Mario Botta

    A.D.A. Edita|Tokyo 1989|30.50 x 30.50 cm|reliure souple de l'éditeur
    Second edition.
    Publisher's binding over flexible paper boards.
    Richly illustrated.
    A good copy.
    €80
  4. Procession
    Utagawa SADAHIDE

    Procession

    ca 1860|36 x 48 cm|en feuilles
    Original Japanese print. Two sheets from what was certainly a large set of eight.
    Printed on mulberry paper. The sheets have been backed, due to paper weakened in the upper section by wormholes.
    Member of the Utagawa school, and undoubtedly the best student of the school's founder, Utagawa Kunisada I. He created several large sets of prints, not only of processions, but of the city of Yokohama to which he devoted much of his work.
    €200
  5. Le meurtre de Kudo Suketsune par Goro Tokimune
    MIGITA TOSHIHIDE

    Le meurtre de Kudo Suketsune par Goro Tokimune

    Matsunaga Sakujiro|1880|35 x 72 cm|une feuille
    Original print.
    Triptych of three prints joined together (glued at the back with a paper strip). Three sheets assembled as one. Hole at each extremity. A lack to the left margin. A central fold.
    In the 12th century, Tokimune avenges his father's death by killing his murderer, Kudo Suketsune. Toshihide was a pupil of Yoshitoshi, his prints are characterized by a blend of traditional and Western styles.
    €600
  6. Nanchou Gaishi Buyuden
    Sadahide UTAGAWA, Batei SHUJIN

    Nanchou Gaishi Buyuden

    Sadahide|Edo [Tokyo] 1856|14.50 x 23 cm|cousu
    First edition, rare, with 35 engravings, many double page in black, grey, and white (several with grey and black ink wash). The title may be translated as: A History of the Braves of the Southern Court.
    10 accordion-stitched volumes. Three different printed covers, the first series comprising three volumes, the second four and the third three. Rubbing. Two volumes with worming to upper margin, one wormhole to centre of book touching engravings.
    Numerous scenes of particularly violent combat, with decapitations and gushing blood; Court scenes. The figure of Sadahide is remarkably finely rendered and detailed, the grey and black wash adding contrast and depth.
    €1,200
  7. De Paris au Japon à travers la Sibérie, voyage exécuté du 6 Mai au 7 Août 1881
    Edmond COTTEAU

    De Paris au Japon à travers la Sibérie, voyage exécuté du 6 Mai au 7 Août 1881

    Hachette & Cie|Paris 1883|11.50 x 19 cm|relié
    First edition. Half chocolate shagreen binding, spine slightly faded with five raised bands decorated with gilt fleurons, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, modern binding. Work illustrated with 28 engravings and complete with its folding map at the end. Handsome copy almost free from foxing.
    €300
  8. Yanagawa Gafu. Sansui no bu
    YANAGAWA SHIGENOBU II

    Yanagawa Gafu. Sansui no bu

    Shubundo|Edo [Tokyo] • [Tokyo] 1856|12 x 18 cm|cousu
    Rare first edition. Illustrated with 44 plates including one double-page, totaling 110 figures enhanced in period colors by Yanagawa Jushin.
    Contemporary wrappers, original binding in cold-embossed green paper with cloud motifs. Excellent condition.
    The author published 5 volumes of this type, each addressing a different theme—animals, flowers; this one depicts the mountains and rivers of Japan represented in prints by the artist.
    €500
  9. Catalogue de vente de la collection de C. Havilland d'estampes japonaises, peintures des écoles classiques et de quelques maitres de catalogue de vente de la collection de C. Havilland d'estampes japonaises, peintures des écoles classiques et de quelques maitres de l'Ukiyoye'. Première vente
    COLLECTIF

    Catalogue de vente de la collection de C. Havilland d'estampes japonaises, peintures des écoles classiques et de quelques maitres de catalogue de vente de la collection de C. Havilland d'estampes japonaises, peintures des écoles classiques et de quelques maitres de l'Ukiyoye'. Première vente

    S. n.|Paris 1922|23 x 31 cm|broché
    First edition of this auction catalogue held on November 27, 28 and 29, 1922 at the Hotel Drouot.
    Iconography.
    A small tear at the head of one joint, small stains on the front cover, handsome interior condition.
    €50
  10. Le volontaire, épisode de la guerre du Tonkin
    Alexandre HURÉ

    Le volontaire, épisode de la guerre du Tonkin

    Librairie Jouaust|Paris 1886|17 x 20.50 cm|broché
    First edition, one of 50 numbered copies on Japan paper, ours unnumbered, the only deluxe copies.
    Small tears without consequence to head and foot of spine.
    Our copy is complete with the etching by Léopold Flameng here in double state as with all deluxe copies.
    Rare and handsome full-margined copy.
    €150
  11. La peinture contemporaine au Japon
    ELISEEV

    La peinture contemporaine au Japon

    Editions de Boccard|Paris 1923|In 4|Un Vol. broché
    First work on contemporary painting in Japan, following the first exhibition of Japanese art in Paris at the Grand Palais in 1922.
    Numerous plates.
    Rare.
    In original wrappers with folded covers.
    Excellent condition.

    NB: This work is available at the bookstore upon request within 48 hours.
    €130
  12. Le théâtre au Japon
    Georges BOUSQUET

    Le théâtre au Japon

    Extrait de la Revue des deux mondes|(Paris) 1874|15.50 x 25 cm|agrafé
    First edition.
    Plain paper cover. Rare.
    €80
  13. Atashi, roman.
    Marcel ROBERT

    Atashi, roman.

    Ikkiyo|Tokyo 1936|14 x 20 cm|broché

    Rare first edition of this novel recounting the story of a wealthy Swiss industrialist who abandons everything to lead a bohemian life in Japan.
    Cover faded, title page loose, small marginal tears.
    Rare.

    €100
  14. Les pins chantent, quatre Nô
    Franz TOUSSAINT

    Les pins chantent, quatre Nô

    René Kieffer|Paris 1925|14 x 20.50 cm|relié
    New edition of the French translation, this one by Franz Toussaint, one of 1000 numbered copies on vellum, the only printing with 50 Japan copies.
    Half brown shagreen binding with corners, smooth spine slightly faded decorated with gilt floral motifs featuring, as petals, incisions of red shagreen, marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns, covers and spine preserved, top edge gilt, contemporary binding.
    Work decorated with numerous ornamental borders and initials in two tones by J. Vergély.
    Handsome copy.
    €100
  15. Les fidèles Ronins
    Tamenaga SHOUNSOUI, Kei-Sai YEI-SEN

    Les fidèles Ronins

    A.Quantin|Paris 1882|17.50 x 21.50 cm|broché
    Edition translated from the English version by S. Saito & E. Greey of this famous Japanese historical novel.
    Work illustrated by Kei-Sai Yei-Sen.
    Attractive illustrated cover.
    Minor marginal lacks harmlessly affecting the margins of the first leaves.
    €40
  16. Japanese design in art 8
    COLLECTIF

    Japanese design in art 8

    étude Kyouto|s. l. 1985|30 x 30.50 cm|relié
    Japanese first edition.
    Text in Japanese. Full black cloth binding, very fine copy, complete with its illustrated slipcase.
    Richly illustrated.
    €60
  17. Au Japon, choses vues
    Clive HOLLAND

    Au Japon, choses vues

    Vuibert & Nony|Paris 1908|18.50 x 25 cm|broché
    First edition in French.
    Illustrated with photographic plates and text drawings.
    Spine sunned, covers uniformly sunned with marginal stains, light interior foxing, some dampstaining affecting the head of certain pages.
    €50
  19. Le pont Mirabeau N°4
    COLLECTIF

    Le pont Mirabeau N°4

    Le pont Mirabeau|Paris Avril 1939|16.50 x 25.50 cm|broché
    First edition.
    Contributions by Georges Blin, Michel Manoll, Saint-Pol-Roux among others.
    €60
  22. Jiu-Jitsu, méthode japonaise
    H.I. HANCOCK

    Jiu-Jitsu, méthode japonaise

    Berger-Levrault|Paris 1934|13.50 x 21 cm|broché
    New edition of the French translation.
    Work illustrated with 19 photographic plates.
    Tiny lack to foot of spine, small traces of corner creasing to second cover, handsome interior condition.
    €80
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