Kokuho [National Treasures of Japan]

Tokyo: Manichi Newspapers, 1967. First edition. Hardcover. 12 volumes in six boxes. Fine. 42 x 32 cm. 12 volumes in 6 cases covering -- The Protohistoric, Asuka, and Nara periods * Heian Period (8th to 11th centuries) * 11th & 12th centuries * Kamakura Period (12th to 14th centuries) * Late Kamakura Period (13th & 14th centuries) * Namboku-cho, Muromachi, Momoyama and Edo Periods (14th to 19th centuries). A compendium of cultural, historic, artistic, architectural and national treasures protected by a comprehensive network of legislation to maintain their primacy. Japanese cultural properties were originally owned by Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines and aristocratic or samurai families. Text in English and Japanese, with extensive English notes. Nearly 1200 color plates and a plethora of black and white images in the text. The publisher, Manichi, prints the oldest daily newspaper in Japan; former CEO's have been elected Prime Ministers of Japan, and it is the only Japanese new company to have won a Pulitzer prize. As publishers here, their role speaks to the importance of Japanese cultural patrimony, and the obligation to present it in an aesthetically harmonious format. The plate volumes are bound in quarter white calf and decorative cloth, each in a different fabric pattern with labels at spine and front covers. The other volume in thick white linen cloth. The individual box housing each two volume set bound in navy blue basket weave cloth with wood labels inset at spine and front covers. Each box weighs approximately 23 pounds. An impressive presentation in excellent condition.