Daiku hinagata hidensho zukai

NISHIMURA, Gon'emon. Daiku hinagata hidensho zukai.[Secrets of Architectural Design]. 2 volumes. Unpaginated, illustrated throughout. 8vo, 229 x 155 mm., publisher's wrappers in a new chitsu case. Edo: Suharaya, 1727.

A delightful early eighteenth-century Japanese pattern book. The profession of architect as a specialist in designing buildings did not really come about until the Meiji period (1868-1912). As these volumes demonstrate, up until this time, the master carpenter was both the designer and builder especially since it related to wood-frame construction. The illustrations were by Shigeharu Suzuki. There is some inoffensive marginal soiling throughout, and surface damage to the wrappers, but nevertheless an appealing and rare set. OCLC lists 2 copies worldwide at Princeton and Columbia.