Manuscript albums of notes and the original drawings & paintings relating to his notable publication Rekisei fuzoku joso enkakuzu ko [trans.: Historical Customs & Costumes for the Women] of which a revised edition was published in Tokyo in 1911

Four vols. & two related vols. Large 8vo (275 190 mm.), orig. patterned wrappers, manuscript labels on upper covers, stitched. Japan: ca. 1911.

A fine archive of notes and drawings by Ishimoto, a notable interior decorator and fashion historian in Tokyo. The first volume is devoted to women's court attire and contains 17 highly detailed and fine drawing and paintings, 14 of which are richly colored, of traditional costumes of women of different ranks at court. The artist has included front and back views. These drawings are all executed on graph paper with mica and contain manuscript notes regarding the sources for the illustrations. These drawings were later incorporated into Ishimoto's publication. Tipped-in is a lithographed folding plate - perhaps a proof - with all these images reproduced. There is another lithographed plate depicting the four seasons of color combinations for the attire of the court ladies.

The next volume is in three parts: court furniture and boxes belonging to the ladies; makeup, hair styles using ribbons, hair pieces, and eyebrow shapers and brushes; and ceremonial rituals. This volumes contains a number of black and white drawings.

Dyeing and weaving are the subjects of the next volume with illustrations of spinning wheels, looms, and dyeing. The fourth volume is devoted to hinagata kimono patterns with a number of fine drawings.

The fifth and sixth manuscript volumes describe court attire for samurai of different ranks. These two albums contain 38 fine and delicate brush and ink drawings, 36 of which are finely colored.

Fine condition. All of these volumes bear the seal of "Ishimoto Bunko.".