GINZA KAIWAI/GINZA HACCHO: THE 1954 FIRST EDITION by Suzuki, Yoshikazu (Photographer); Shohachi, Kimura (Author) & Hiroshige (Contribution) - 1954

Tokyo, Japan: Toho-Shuppan Publishing, 1954. First Edition. First Printing.. Hardcover. Fine/Fine Dust Jacket.. Tokyo, Japan: Toho-Shuppan Publishing, 1954. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. First Edition/First Printing. 364 pages. Two-volume book on subject. One of the greatest Artist Books of the 20th century. The First Edition. Precedes and should not be confused with all other subsequent editions. Published in a small and limited first print run in this unique format only. There is no ISBN. The First Edition is now rare. An austerely elegant production by Toho-Shuppan: Boxed Set consisting of two volumes, both of which are encased in the publisher's original cardboard box. Volume One, "Ginza Kaiwai", is a book-length account on the world-famous Tokyo district. The text by Kimura Shohachi is interspersed with "ukiyo-e" woodblock print reproductions by Hiroshige, black-and-white photographs by Yoshikatsu Kanno, maps, and reproductions of original drawings. Publisher's original promotional leaflet laid-in. Publisher's original rice-paper-wrapped slipcase with pictorial labels pasted in front and on the spine. In publisher's original rice-paper DJ, as issued. Volume Two, "Ginza Haccho", consists of Yoshikazu Suzuki's photographic re-construction of Ginza in an accordion foldout format. A marvel of publishing ingenuity: Two continuous plates present Every Building On Ginza Street, one across the top, the other across the bottom, with text in the center. The accordion is encased in pale green hard boards with red titles in front. Without DJ, as issued. Presents "Ginza Kaiwai/Ginza Haccho". The precursor, by thirteen years, of Ed Ruscha's "Every Building On The Sunset Strip" (1966). "Ginza Kaiwai/Ginza Haccho" is first of all, two books, both of them realized to the superior standards that one has come to expect of Japanese publishing. Second, the concept and realization of "Ginza Haccho" anticipate in its entirety Ed Ruscha's most celebrated Artist Book. Calling "Ginza Haccho" the "Japanese Every Building On The Sunset Strip", as some commentators have done, is wrong (and racist), as it suggests that "Ginza Haccho" followed rather than preceded Ruscha. Whether Ruscha was aware of "Ginza Haccho" or not is irrelevant. Yoshikazu Suzuki did it first, brilliantly so. Just as important, its precedence does not diminish Ed Ruscha's achievement. An absolute "must-have" title for Yoshikazu Suzuki and Artist Book collectors. <b><i> This title is a great Artist Book. This is one of few copies of the First Edition/First Printing still available online, is enclosed in a hand-made protective black cloth slipcase for posterity, and is in especially fine condition: Clean, crisp, and bright, a beauty. It is the single most beautiful copy we have ever seen. Please note: The few copies that have occasionally turned up online all have very serious flaws: Foxing, staining, soiling, and wear as well as intrusive repairs. A rare copy thus. </b></i> One of the greatest Artist Books of the 20th century. A fine collectible copy. .