Exhibition catalogue comprised of 46 pp. of text, 184 full-page black-and-white plates, and 16 full-color plates. Quarto (10 1/4 x 7 1/2 inches). Original colorful hardcover with design by Satomi and applied gold decoration, with original accompanying cardstock slipcase. Very minor wear and some light discoloration to slipcase, some very light soiling and spotting to covers of volume, interiors clean and bright, overall excellent. Includes original small supplemental booklet "Sekai Sangyo Bijutsushi" [World History of Industrial Art] laid inside front cover. Tokyo: Nihon Kokoku Kurabo/Japan Advertising Club, 1940.

Munetsugu Satomi (1904-1996) was one of the most famous graphic designers to come out of Japan. He was best known for his Art Deco-style posters, and created more than 20,000 pieces of art during his lifetime. He studied in Paris at the École des Beaux Arts and spent time working in France, Japan, and the USA.

According to the introductory pages to this catalogue, through the Japan Advertising Club, Satomi organized a World Poster Art Exhibition to take place at the Tokyo Prefectural Art Musueum in July 1940. This date in particular was chosen as it coincided with the 2600th anniversary of the founding of Japan. Many other anniversary celebrations were scheduled for that year as well, including a special radio broadcast of the first shrine visit of the year at Kashihara Shrine, major festivals for Kigensetsu, a special imperial journey made by the Showa Emperor to the Kansai region to report on the celebrations, a special elaborate Anniversary Ceremony held at the plaza in front of the Imperial Palace, and commissioned pieces of music from international composers.

Despite all of these events, we can find no clear evidence as to whether or not this particular poster exhibition ever actually took place. There is no mention of it with the listings for other 2600th anniversary celebrations, and it is not listed in Satomi's official chronology/biography. Our research does show, however, that in July 1940, amid international criticism over the Second Sino-Japanese War and a decision to prioritize war expenditures, the cabinet decided to postpone the planned 2600th Anniversary Commemorative International Exposition and to return hosting rights for the planned 1940 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. The copyright page for this volume also states that the volume was printed in June 1940 but not released until June 1945, after the war had ended.

The planned exhibition, whether held or not, was organized by Satomi using posters largely from his own collection as well as that of another Advertising Club member, collected during their world travels. The catalogue is divided into sections based mostly on country of origin of the poster, not necessarily the artist. Artists whose work is featured here include: Jean Carlu, Charles Gesmer, Georges Dorignac, A.M. Cassandre, Corrado Mancioli, Charles Loupot, Ludwig Hohlwein, Steinlen, E. McKnight Kauffer, Abram Games, Lothar Heinemann, Hans Plessen, Jupp Wiertz, Franz Würbel, Ihap Hulusi, Satomi, Eric de Coulon, Derouet Lesacq, Paul Colin, Pierre Masseau, Carlo Mattioli, Giulio Ferrari, Sanzo Wada, and many others.

A fascinating and beautifully illustrated volume for an important international exhibition which may have been cancelled due to the tumult of 1940. Incredibly scarce; as of May 2026, we could locate only a single holding of this catalogue at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies (Nichibunken), in Kyoto.

Book ID: 53703

Price: $4,500.00