[JAPANESE WOODBLOCKS]. [SILKWORM PRODUCTION - A. K. A. SERICULTURE]. YOSHITANE, Sakai. Yosan Jijitsu. [The Stages of Silk Production]. Osaka: Toshundo, Meiji 6 [1873]. A rare nineteenth century Japanese tutorial on sericulture (the making of silk), including details on the silk worms from which the fine thread is harvested, produced in woodblock print. 8vo. 3 volumes, 209 pages combined, with publisher?s details to red frontispiece leaf. The complete text, including 31 full page wood printed illustrations - the first three being beautifully hand colored. Traditional karitoji paper binding string-stitched at spine, fukurotoji style (?bound-pocket? with folded leafs bound into spine), and opening from left to right. Yellow paper covers, titled in manuscript ink to verso. Each volume with a red ink stamp to the first text leaf. All text is in Japanese. Each volume measures approximately 8 ? x 6?. Housed together in purpose-made three-panel folding portfolio, blue cloth boards with working bone clasps, measuring approximately 16,5 x 23 x 3,5 cm. Ink blemishes to two of the illustrations, quite likely a printing mishap, minor age-toning primarily to boards, otherwise very good and original condition, a pleasing historic work dealing with silk production in Japan. Full description available upon request.