Myths & Legends of Japan. DAVIS, Frederick Hadland.

First edition, finely illustrated by Evelyn Paul (1883-1963), a book illustrator and illuminator whose distinctive style was influenced by Dante Gabriel Rossetti. This copy has the bookplate of Claud Lambton (1888-1976), a director of Morris & Co., which was founded by William Morris, Rossetti, and other Pre-Raphaelites in 1861. In his introduction, Frederick Hadland Davis states that "we have had numerous volumes of Japanese fairy tales, but hitherto no book has appeared giving a comprehensive study of the myths and legends of a country so rich in quaint and beautiful traditions" (p. xx). The 31 chapters address themes such as "Thunder", "Buddha Legends", "Supernatural Beings", and "Legends of Mount Fuji", and they are followed by appendices on Japanese gods and poetry. The book was published in Harrap's "Myths" series. Octavo. Colour frontispiece and 31 plates, all after Evelyn Paul. Title page printed in brown and black. Original blue diagonal-grain cloth, spine and front cover elaborately blocked in gilt and silver with "bamboo font" lettering and illustrations of a dragon and a female goddess riding a peacock, top edge gilt, others untrimmed. Extremities lightly worn, head of front board and tips bumped, front inner hinge tender: very good.