Japanese Bogies

Japanese Bogies

This edition was kept in a bright red box filled with an abundance of miniature Japanese bogies. Binding was done by Sarah Wyman Whitman, one of the most important women designers of book binding. Whitman's designs are known for their restrained style, reflecting traditional shapes. She preferred gold stamping over multi-colored inks as well as brightly colored book cloths. She is best known for her ornamental decorations rather than illustrative designs. Recognizable by her distinctive alphabet and a tendency to carry design elements from front to back covers.

Since the size is so small, it is quite difficult to work with. Each illustration appear hand drawn and colored vividly. The text and illustrations for this specific miniature have been taken from an article by Andrew Lang published in The Magazine of Art in December of 1884.

In Japanese Bogies, Lang's zany descriptions of a number of Japanese ghosts were based upon the concepts of Japanese artists, including Hokusai. The elements of humor and fantasy follow throughout.

Andrew Lang

The Morgan Library, Sherman Fairchild Reading Room

The Hillside Press. Tilton, New Hampshire

1974

Illustrations by Hokusai and other Japanese Artists

The Morgan Library

Bogies