[Tokyo]: [Costume Research Institute], [1947]. 50; 32pp; illus. Saddle-stapled in illustrated wraps. Save the titles and an occasional English heading, all text in Japanese.
A pair of Japanese pattern magazines offering illustrations and instructions for the construction of Western-style women’s accessories—hats, handbags, aprons, slippers, belts, etc.—and summer outfits, respectively. Issued under the auspices of the Costume Research Institute, an organization founded in Tokyo in 1946, the present works offer an early and striking example of the speed with which Western fashion was adopted in Japan following the end of World War 2.
Both volumes feature delightful design and illustration by Yasuji Hanamori (1911-1978), who in 1948 founded groundbreaking women's magazine Kurashi no Techo("Notebook of Everyday Life")—a publication for which he continued to act as both designer and editor until his death, and which remains in print today, and still very much indebted to his highly principled social and aesthetic vision.
N.B. The inclusion on both rear covers of a logo for “The Dress Institute · Ginza” led us ot briefly entertain the hypothesis that some affiliation existed with the New York Dress Institute founded in the early 1940s, though we have ultimately been unable to find evidence of such a link. We now incline to believe it simply a Westernized appellation, albeit one making knowing reference to its influential American counterpart.
Both volumes near fine, with toning to wraps and paperstock, mild corner wear. Scarce; our OCLC search efforts find no holdings of either issue.
