– Complete set of twenty hand-printed bookplates (ex-libris) from the collection of bibliophile Eiichi Hirose – Features designs by multiple Japanese printmakers including notable mid-century artists – Historical artifacts documenting Japan's bookplate culture and private library traditions Summary: This collection comprises twenty individual bookplates (ex-libris) that once belonged to Eiichi Hirose, a notable Japanese book collector, sake brewery owner, and patron of bookplate artists active in the mid-to-late twentieth century. Ex-libris – small prints pasted inside book covers to denote ownership – have a rich tradition in Japan dating to the early twentieth century, when Western bibliophile culture merged with Japanese woodblock printing expertise. Hirose commissioned or collected bookplates from various Japanese printmakers, creating a personal archive that documents both his wide-ranging interests and the thriving bookplate culture of post-war Japan. This set includes designs by artists such as Eiichi Hirose himself (who created his own bookplates), Yonejirō Satō, Takao Sakuma, and Gen'ichirō Inokuma, among others whose names appear in Japanese bookplate history. The prints show age-appropriate wear – light foxing, minor discolouration, edge wear – consistent with decades of storage. Bookplates occupy a curious niche in print culture. Too small to hang on walls, too personal to appeal to mass audiences, they exist primarily for collectors, bibliophiles, and those who take seriously the relationship between owner and book. In Japan, the tradition took root in the 1920s and 1930s, when Western-influenced intellectuals began commissioning custom designs for their private libraries. The format allowed Japanese printmakers to experiment with motifs, techniques, and scales different from larger woodblock prints, resulting in intimate works that combined text and image in tight, disciplined compositions. Eiichi Hirose embodied this bibliophile culture. As the sixth-generation proprietor of Hirose Shoten, a sake brewery in Takaham, Ishioka City (Ibaraki Prefecture), he had both the means and the intellectual inclination to build serious collections. Beyond books, he collected antique roof tiles (kawara) and actively participated in the Japan Bookplate Society, commissioning works from established printmakers and fostering relationships with artists working in various printmaking traditions. His bookplates reflect this wide-ranging curiosity – some feature traditional Japanese motifs, others lean toward Western-influenced modernism, still others incorporate abstraction or playful graphic design. The twenty bookplates in this set represent a cross-section of mid-twentieth-century Japanese printmaking styles. Some employ traditional woodblock techniques (mokuhanga), with visible grain and tactile ink textures. Others use lithography or other Western printing methods adapted to Japanese aesthetics. Designs range from figurative (birds, plants, architectural elements) to abstract (geometric patterns, calligraphic experiments). Each bears the phrase "Ex Libris" or "蔵書票" along with "E. Hirose" or variations thereof, marking them as personal commissions rather than generic designs. Among the artists represented, several names carry weight in Japanese printmaking history. Yonejirō Satō, Takao Sakuma, and others whose signatures or seals appear on these prints contributed to Japan's post-war graphic arts renaissance, working across commercial design, fine art printmaking, and bookplate commissions. Gen'ichirō Inokuma, though better known for abstract painting, also created bookplates, demonstrating how seriously Japanese artists took even these miniature works. Condition varies across the twenty prints but remains generally good for age. Expect light foxing (brown spots caused by oxidation), minor edge wear, occasional creases, and the kind of gentle fading that comes from decades in storage rather than display. None of the prints show severe damage – no tears through printed areas, no significant losses, no evidence of water damage or mould. They remain suitable for mounting, framing, or housing in archival sleeves for study and enjoyment. For collectors, this set offers multiple entry points. Bibliophiles will appreciate the cultural history embedded in each design – these are artifacts of private library culture, tokens of the intimate relationship between reader and book. Print collectors gain access to designs by multiple mid-century Japanese printmakers, including some whose work rarely appears on the open market. Design enthusiasts can study how Japanese artists adapted Western bookplate conventions to local aesthetic sensibilities, creating hybrid forms that feel neither purely Japanese nor purely Western but something distinct. In practical terms, these bookplates can be framed individually or in groups, creating wall displays that function as both art and cultural commentary. They pair well with vintage books, calligraphy, other Japanese prints, or collections of graphic ephemera. The small scale makes them easy to display in varied settings – home libraries, studies, hallways – and their monochromatic or limited-colour palettes allow them to integrate into diverse interior schemes. If this collection speaks to your interest in Japanese print culture, bibliophile traditions, or mid-century graphic design, it may be ready to transition from archive to active collection. Shipping & Handling We ship worldwide via DHL or EMS with full insurance and tracking. Professional packing ensures safe arrival; combined shipping available for multiple wins. Local customs duties are the buyer's responsibility. Seller Guarantee We specialise in authentic Japanese prints and guarantee this collection's authenticity. Questions welcome – we reply within 24 hours.