1920s Kyoritsu Women's Vocational School Sewing Textbook
Tokyo: Dainippon Tosho Co., ca. 1929. Softcover 8vo, printed wraps in Japanese stab binding with printed label. Revised edition of the sewing textbook used at Kyoritsu Women's Vocational School in Tokyo, Japan--one of several training schools founded by tailor-turned-educator Watanabe Tatsugoro. Very Good condition with light general handling wear, rubbing and creasing to the covers. Printed wraps in Japanese stab binding. A practical reference for young women to sew a variety of garments. Several color plates and nice graphic surprises, including unexpected instances of color and a little ruler printed in the prelims. Originally Taishō 7 (c.1918), this revised edition was published at the turn of the Shōwa period, when women's work in sewing shifted from domestic skill to professional trade, adapting to industrial technologies and a growing commercial fashion market. Japanese text translated via Google, with apologies for any errors.