NIGHT BLOOMING PLUMS: HAIKU BY YOSA BUSON selected and translated by Kenneth L. Richard

The Aliquando Press, 1988 First edition of 70 copies, Unpaginated, 5 1/2" X 8" Sewn paper covered boards

Fine

An exceedingly rare book set Menhart Roman type and printed on Mogami paper. Brilliantly designed and arranged, with the original Japanese text appearing with the English translation on each page, but with the translation appearing in italic, and printed in colors corresponding with the mood of the season: spring appears in green, summer in blue, autumn in gold, and winter in pewter. Each cycle of poems is divided by a leaf of paper, corresponding in color to the season and the color in which the text is printed. The ‘seasonal interlude’ papers are green Chigiri gami for Spring, blue Ai for Summer, gold Unryu for Autumn, and white Tairei for Winter. Calligraphy by Fumiko Nikaid , reproduced as a line-cut, used for the title