Author: Takeo Takei & others
Title: [Kansatsu ehon - Kinda bukku - boku kei].
Description: Tokyo, Fureberukan 1932 (Showa 7). Oblong folio, 26x38cm; 16pp including covers, all colour lithographs on light card. Covers dusty with some smallish flaws to the back cover; used but a very acceptable copy. The publisher's colophon, in a corner of the back cover, is framed in a small clock face and an owner has neatly numbered the clock and put hands in at 3 o'clock. ¶ Telling the time for kids, one in a series of "observation" books begun in 1927 by the now named Froebel-kan - based on the principles of educator Friedrich Froebel. I've found images of a few of these early books and this is the most stylish by miles. The Fureberukan has published magazines and squillions of worthy books since then, still does, and they look pretty revolting. This one steps into nauseating cuteness here and there but the good plates more than make up for it. A number of artists contributed and in the early thirties the best were still doing imaginative work for kids' books and magazines. I can't find a record of this anywhere outside Japan.

Keywords: childrens illustration education time c20th Japan Asia moderism juvenile