趣味の京染. 七寿苑. 7巻. [Shumi no kyōzome. Shichijuen。6-kan]. [Kyoto Textile Dye Sample Books. 6 Volumes].

[Kyoto].: Yamaka Toki Ishōbu]*. Yamaka Toki意匠部.. (Circa1965).. Large textile sample books. Six volumes in total (Volumes 4 to 9). Each volume contains about 90 textile samples, the volumes displaying over 600 samples in total. Most pages have two samples to a page though some have instead one large sample. A working set approximately 50 samples have been neatly removed, probably indicating this pattern was no longer available. Each volume has a price list at the rear and attractive silver mica flecked front paste downs. Although clearly a working set of sample books with most volumes in very good condition, the boards for volume 4 are soiled with a small section of the lower cover near the head of the spine missing. Volume 9 lacks half of two leaves and the lower cover has been cut causing the loss of lower 8cm to the back cover. Although a set which has clearly been used in a business, the samples themselves are in very good condition and the bindings while worn and are very sound and not unattractive.

The printed title on the upper cover of the volumes change from Shichijuen to Kyojuen from Volume 5. 38 x 27.5 cm. These 6 volumes of Kyoto style textile sample books showcase wide variety of designs and colours that Kyoto artisans were able to produce on textiles. Kyoto has been the centre of textile industry for hundreds of years in Japan and its skills in dye is admired highly. These sample books were most likely published in the 1960s. Many of the designs are in traditional Japanese style, but some others are amazingly modern and bold in patterns and colours. It is a delightful collection of textile designs from the 20th century Kyoto, Japan. .