Grin and Bear It by Elizabeth Keith
[Japan] A quite controversial book that ruffled the feathers of some who thought many of the caricatures were offensive even though the author explains in the preface that is was all for a good cause. Elizabeth Keith (1887-1956) lived in Japan for about nine years from 1915 and also spent some time in Korea. She produced some very nice woodblock prints. This book was published in order to raise money for soldiers wounded in World War I and was priced at 5 yen. It was quite a success. The book contains 63 caricatures (on 62 leaves) of mostly Western residents (including diplomats) but also a number of Japanese personages including, Tokugawa Ietatsu, Inoue Kaoru, Goto Shimpei and Nitobe Inazo. Some of the more well-known Westerners include Dr. Thomas Baty, J.E. De Becker, Vivian Bowden, Hugh Byas, Dr. Clay MacCauley, W.B. Mason, James Pender Mollison, Dr. N. Gordon Munro, Dr. Edwin Wheeler and Robert Young. With the original woodblock print on the cover. The book was published by her brother-in-law, J.W. Robertson-Scott who ran The New East Press.
Tokyo. The New East Press. 1917.
pp.[6], 62 leaves (each with titled interleave), [2]. 27 x 19.4cm.
In good condition. Covers worn with some fading and creasing. Internally very good with some minor age wear. Colophon page slightly foxed. b36111724
