Japanese Days and Nights - André Bellessort - Antique French travel book about Japan from 1906

A remarkable French travel book from 1906 in which writer and traveler André Bellessort records his experiences and observations of Japan at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Les Journées et les Nuits Japonaises takes the reader through the Japan of the Meiji period, a time when age-old traditions and rapid modernization existed side by side. Bellessort describes Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Nara, among other places, while also focusing on religion, industry, daily life, and the social changes Japan was undergoing.

The book thus offers an interesting historical perspective on Japan, described by a European traveler over a century ago.

This copy is bound in an attractive half-leather binding with a dark green to almost black spine, refined gold-colored decorations, and characteristic green-black marbled boards. Inside, there are richly marbled endpapers and what appears to be an original multi-colored ribbon marker.

The binding is in a particularly well-preserved condition. The spine and gilt details have been well maintained, and the binding and hinges are firm. The paper shows light yellowing appropriate to its age and a few minor signs of wear.

An appealing antiquarian book for lovers of Japanese history, historical travelogues, and classic French bookbindings.

Details:

• Title: Les Journées et les Nuits Japonaises
• Author: André Bellessort (1866–1942)
• Publisher: Librairie Académique Didier, Perrin et Cie
• Published in Paris, 1906
• Printed by Blais et Roy, Poitiers
• Language: French
• 312 numbered pages of text, with table of contents
• Dimensions: 18.5 × 12 × 3 cm
• Half-leather binding with marbled boards
• Dark green to almost black spine with gilt decorations
• Marbled endpapers
• Multi-colored ribbon marker
• Good to very good antiquarian condition
• Firm binding and hinges
• Light wear and paper yellowing consistent with age