This is "Furusato" (Hometown), published by Chuo Koron Bijutsu Shuppan. It is a masterpiece that reproduces, in a collotype facsimile, a work handwritten by Ryokan. While a book-format edition was also published, this is a special edition created in a limited number of copies. The colophon of the chitsu (protective case) has a serial number handwritten on it. It was published over 50 years ago, in 1972 (Showa 47), and the original price was 12,000 yen. The reason for the high price was primarily due to the use of high-quality collotype printing. Collotype uses glass for plate-making and is a printing method that can beautifully and faithfully reproduce the original. It was once used for high-end art prints and calligraphy models like this one, but it is now on the verge of extinction due to the labor and cost involved. In calligraphy models, color printing is common these days, but collotype is still loved by many for its ability to beautifully reproduce the ink color. By the way, there are still companies that handle collotype, but it costs tens of thousands of yen to have a single small sheet printed. It is probably impossible to create such a book now due to the cost. Even at the time of publication, there were few masters of this printing method, and this book was a labor of love, with everything from photography to printing done from scratch. Nowadays, it's difficult to tell if past prints were collotype, but this one is clearly marked as such, making it a valuable item. It is in the form of an oricho (folded book), and unlike a regular book, it can be fully opened. Therefore, it can be displayed at any width, from two pages to the entire spread. It includes an explanation by Tomohiko Yasuda and is housed in a chitsu. The chitsu is cloth-bound with a bamboo clasp, giving it a nice texture. Including shipping, it is being offered at half the original price from 50 years ago. For fans of Ryokan, please enjoy this beautiful and valuable edition of collotype printing. Notes: It consists of the oricho itself, the explanatory text, the chitsu to store both, the paper wrapping the chitsu, and the paper box to hold everything. The paper box has minor scratches and discoloration on the surface (see images). The main body is in very good condition because it was stored in the box and then in the chitsu, and it is a beautiful item that shows no signs of aging after more than 50 years. The serial number is on the colophon of the chitsu, but it is the buyer's unique number, so it is not photographed. It is in the 500s.