Kat Giichir (1 results)

Four tipped-in colour plates, black and white photographic illustrations, tissue guard, 23.3 x 16cm, [4] + 19pp, original wrappers of washi with woodblock title in black and a colour plate laid down, some browning but generally very good and clean. This fascinating and beautifully produced volume on Cochin ware presents an exquisite collection of incense boxes traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies. Although known in Japan as ?Cochin ware? and long associated with trade from Indochina, these pieces were in fact made in southern China, in Fujian Province. Writing under his artistic name Ichiinoya (?????), the author classifies the incense boxes according to their seasonal use in the tea ceremony and describes the distinguishing features of each example. Published in November 1941, just weeks before the outbreak of the Pacific War, the book is remarkable for its refined production. Despite the specialised nature of its subject, it was issued with colour plates and black-and-white photographic illustrations.