SWORD AND BLOSSOM. Poems from the Japanese. Three volume set.

Three volume set. Bound in original pictorial crepe covered boards, with minor sunning and minor shelfwear. Xylographically printed in color with hand-finished highlights. Double-leaved text. Vol. I: [34] pages [published ca. 1907]. Vol. II: [34] pages [ca. 1908]. Vol. III [ii] blank, [52] pages [ca 1910]. A collection of wood-block illustrated Japanese poetry translated into English. Each volume contains a selection of Blossom poems, and a section of Sword poems. Blossom poems are short unrhymed verses known as "Tanka," all selected from Kokinshiu, and anthology of Japanese poems complied in the year 906. Sword poems are written in a Chinese style by modern Japanese authors. The third volume includes a selection of Love Songs which were written before the 10th century. The English translations are presented in stylized calligraphy resembling Japanese brushwork. The colored landscapes and other decorations are by Shoda Koho, Yoshimoto Gesso, and Arai Yoshimune. Also included are reproductions of Ukiyo-e prints by Hokusai and Hiroshige. There is no blue chemise with ivory clasps, issued with later with later printings. Height = 180mm. This appears to be a First edition, published individually between 1907 and 1910, but one or more of the publications could be a slightly later printing.…