[Small Exhibition] Chirimen Books and International Exchange
Many of you may have seen or heard about small Japanese books collectively called “Chirimen-bon” or chirimen books. Chirimen books are made using soft, crepe-like Japanese paper (chirimen), feature beautiful printed illustrations and stories translated into Western languages, and were produced from the Meiji period to the early Showa period.
The harmony between the form of these books and the stories contained within is as delicate as a handicraft, and has outstanding cultural value. Meanwhile, the background behind this culture is deeply bound to the encounters and exchanges between people in Japan and other countries, and may be regarded as a forerunner of today's “international exchange.”
While research has been done on the production method, since the production technique was not shared outside the workshop of Takejiro Hasegawa, the publisher who produced the chirimen books, there are many unexplained aspects such as the intention behind making books in this way and the method of crepe-paper production, and these books have come to be called “phantom Meiji picture books” by collectors.
HASEGAWA Takejiro was born in Nihonbashi on October 8, 1853, the second son of NISHINOMIYA Yosobei. The Nishinomiya family was in the business of importing beverages and other products in Kyobashi, and is said to have imported English language textbooks, engines, phonographs, and other items. In addition, Takejiro attended a mission school in Tsukiji near his home, and Japan’s first commercial college, the Commercial Training School (Shoho Koshujo). These experiences may have helped him acquire language skills, an international outlook, and an entrepreneurial mindset, and may have provided the impetus for his subsequent production of chirimen books.
Chirimen books were popular as souvenirs for foreigners and became a tool for introducing Japanese culture to other countries, but they were also initially conceived of as textbooks for Japanese people to learn English. Through encounters with outstanding authors and translators, the books are thought to have gradually developed into something with cultural value.
In “All About Chirimen Books” (※), the books are described in the following manner.
“To those who love these books, crafted from fine paper that fits softly but weightily in one’s hands, everything from the cover, the pictures inside, the typefaces with cleverly decorated letters, and the binding made of silk threads dyed to match the color of the cover are treasures to covet.” (p.318)
With these lovely descriptions in mind, why don't we take another look at chirimen books? (until January 17)
The library has approximately 130 chirimen books in its collection.
Crêpe-Paper Books List
*Reference:
“Chirimenbon no subete : meiji no obun sashiebon” by Saeko Ishizawa, 2nd edition (Miyai Shoten, 2005)
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