LA FONTAINE Jean de - BARBOUTAU Pierre. Choix de fables de La Fontaine illustrées par un groupe des meilleurs artistes de Tokio

Under the direction of Pierre Barboutau, Tokio, E. Flammarion Éditeur. 1894.

Printing of Tsoukidji-Tokio. S. Magata. Director.

2 volumes in-8, 267 x 198: (40 ff.), illustrated cover; (40 ff.), illustrated cover. Japanese-style paperback, slipcase with title label on the spine.

One of the 350 luxury copies, this one being one of the first 150 with the color illustrations printed on Tori-no-ko (high quality) and the text on Hô-sho. As the publisher states in the justification: "The text of these three hundred and fifty copies had to be printed on Hocho paper, the Tori-no-ko being too thick to be folded." N°36 and N°36.

Each volume is composed of 14 fables by La Fontaine illustrated by 14 woodcut prints by Japanese artists met by Pierre Barboutau. Among others, we have Kawa-nabé Kiyo-Soui who illustrates the fable of the Crow and the Fox, Kamo Tono-Nobou for The Frog and the Rat as well as The Rooster and the Pearl, Eda Sad-Shiko for The Rat and the Oyster as well as Kadji-ta Han-ko who did the honor of illustrating The Cicada and the Ant.
The text pages are also decorated with black and white plant and animal motifs.

Pierre Barboutau, the director of this edition, a lover of Japan, an actor of Japonism in France, here signs a most remarkable cultural association.
No one will remain indifferent to this reinterpretation of a monument of French culture by artists whose artistic finesse fascinated an entire generation of Westerners.

Only 350 luxury copies were printed, the total number of prints in the current edition is unknown, but considering all those that are still available today, the print run must have been substantial and continues to interest the general public.

As is emphasized in the preface, it was difficult for Barboutau to make the meaning of the Fables understood, as he had a poor command of Japanese (Les Peintres populaires du Japon. Pierre Barboutau. 1. VII. https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k1163957w/f5.item), despite everything, the prints accompany the texts very well.

Indeed, in addition to the pleasure of (re)reading La Fontaine's Fables, you will be rewarded each time with an original print of great artistic value.

In addition to the quality of the print, the details, colors and drawing styles will impress neophytes.

Condition: well-preserved copy except that part of the strings holding the leaves of the first volume have come loose. Traces of friction and dirt on the second cover of the same volume. Upper edge of the slipcase missing.