Japanese Woodblock Print Book

Rough blue cover with a narrow label of brushed characters.

This japanese woodblock printed book of a ghost story is by Ghost Story, from Japan, and is dated 1803. It is ink on paper. Ghost stories, or kaidan, were a favorite subject in Japanese popular literature and art of the Edo period, and illustrated tales of spirits and strange events found many readers. Front cover of a stitched book, in mottled sky-blue paper with scuffed corners and lighter patches. A tall cream label at the left holds vertical black calligraphy, and the binding edge is soft and slightly frayed. It is 6.25 inches wide and 8.9 high.

Judge it by its cover, and it holds up well.