KAGAYAKU NIPPON DAIHAKURANKAI [THE GREAT EXHIBITION OF BRILLIANT JAPA

1936. [JAPANESE POSTER] Osaka Mainichi Shimbunsha. KAGAYAKU NIPPON DAIHAKURANKAI [THE GREAT EXHIBITION OF BRILLIANT JAPAN] & KAGAYAKU NIPPONHAKU Annaiki. The poster was printed by Osaka Seihan printing company in their patented high-quality "HB" process, which they used to reproduce the effect of color woodblock, etc. With an (unread) artist's seal. Dated on the recto April/May 1936 this large poster (60.8 X 107 cm.) displays bold colors and near abstract design which shows the progress of Japanese industry as a freighter ship evolves pictorially in ascent through a great gear wheel, to an airplane, and then a skyscraper with pennants, all mediated by repeated circular images of a golden sun and red sun akadama images from the national flag. Considering its size, the fragility of the paper and its age, the edgewear and creasing, along with a bit of foxing, leaves this piece still unusually clean and bright with older backing and color restoration. Presents very well. Perhaps the most interesting and arresting piece of industrial art design from its time we have seen in a poster format. The accompanying large 8vo. brochure in color wraps is the guidebook for the Exposition. Printed as a revised edition at the time of the show, 1936. Illustrated internally with b+w photo illustrations of exhibits, ceremonies, etc., etc. The rear cover reproduces the very poster that we are offering here. The guidebook is quite worn, with some paper repairs. Very scarce and interesting combination of these ephemeral items from Japan's prewar golden age of design.