Musashino Fubutsu - Shashinshu by Shinzo Fukuhara, First Edition

This is a first edition, first printing of “Musashino Fubutsu – Shashinshu (Views of Musashino)” published by Seibundo, Osaka in 1943. Released during World War II, the photographs in the book portray life in the Musashino countryside including insights into its village life, culture and temples. This was the last book published by Shinzo Fukuhara who died in 1949. In addition to his photography, the book also contains photographs by other members of Nihon Sahshin Kai group including Hachiemon Kawai, Shiro Sawabe and Minoru Minami. The book is edited by Shinzo Fukuhara with an introduction by Yanagida Kunio.

Measuring approximately 10.5” x 7.5”, the book is bound in white cloth covered boards with Japanese titles stamped onto the spine. The book was issued with a dust jacket and is housed in cardboard slipcase with Japanese titles stamped on the front and spine. The slipcase is in Near Fine condition with minor wear and discoloration to the spine. The book is in Near Fine condition with a discoloration to the spine and foxing to the front and rear endpapers. Overall, this is an exceptional copy of a very rare photobook that is highly sought after by collectors because it is one of the few examples of village life in Japan during World War II and it contains the last know works of Shinzo Fukuhara.

Photographs of the slipcase and book as well as stock images from the book appear in the photo section of the listing.