Okinawa by Yamada Volumes 1 & 2 (Commodore Perry Centennial Issue)

Shuri, Okinawa: University of the Ryukyus Foundation, 1952. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. Yamada, Shinzan. Includes both Volume 1 and 2 Both Volumes are in Very Good Condition. The covers show some light soiling, dirt and water stains. The inside pages are pristine and unmarked. Vol. 2 is signed in English and japanese by the author and famous Japanese artist Shinzan Yamada. It is also signed on the inside blank page by Yuriko Yamado. Okinawa, Her Beauties and Traditions, Vol. 1, by Shinzan Yamada, Shuri, Okinawa, University of the Ryukyus Foundation, 1952, large 4to (10 1/4 x 13 3/4 in - 26 x 35 cm), 40 pages (80 if you count front and back). Green cloth with a gold embossed front cover. This book is bound Japanese style with stiff cloth covered boards and ribbon ties. Except for a 2 inch cloth covering at the head and food, the spine is uncovered. The book was issued without a dust jacket. In this book Shinzan Yamada, the artist, recreates people, places, crafts and folklore of pre-World War II Okinawa. This edition has a total of 40 (13 color & 27 black and white - duo tone) illustrations which are halftone reproductions of paintings by Mr. Yamada. Each picture is on a page and has descriptive text in English below the picture. On the back of the page the descriptive text for the picture is in Japanese. In this book the illustrations are printed directly on the page. In the second book in this set, the images were tipped to page. The Commodore Perry Centennial Issue, Okinawa, Volume II, 1853-4, Commemorating 100 Years of Ryukyuan American Friendship, by Shinzan Yamada, Shuri, Okinawa, University of the Ryukyus Foundation, 1953, large 4to (10 1/4 x 13 3/4 in - 26 x 35 cm), 30 numbered pages (60 pages total if you count the backs which have printed text). Yellow cloth with a gold embossed front cover. This book is bound Japanese style with stiff cloth covered boards and ribbon ties. Except for a 2 inch cloth covering at the head and food, the spine is uncovered. The book was issued without a dust jacket. In this book the artist recreates people, places and religious and cultural beliefs as they were at the time of Commodore Perry's visit to Okinawa in 1853. This edition has a total of 30 (14 color & 16 black and white - duo tone) illustrations which are half-tone reproductions of Shinzan Yamada's art. Each picture is on a page and has descriptive text in English below the picture. On the back of the preceding page the descriptive text for the picture is in Japanese. When the book is open to a picture, you see the image on the right with the English descriptive text and the Japanese text on the left. In this, the second volume of a two book set, the illustrations are tipped (printed on separate paper that is glued to the page) to the pages. In the first volume of this set, they were printed directly on the page. Mr. Shinzan Yamada (Author and artist) was one of Okinawa's foremost artists. Mr. Yamada is probably best known for his 18 year labor to create a "Tsuikin" lacquer statue (12 meters high by 8 meters wide) as a peace memorial and tribute/honor toward those that died in World War II on Okinawa. Mr. Yamada began the project at the age of 72 and completed it when he was 90+ years old. The statue, known as "The Prayer for Peace Statue," is located in the Heiwa Memorial Hall on Mabuni Hill in southern Okinawa. If needed, please request additional photos. This set will only ship by insured media mail, due to the size and approx shipping weight of 6 pounds. OFFHALL