Japanese booklet for the Yusaku Azuma Ballet (東勇作バレエ團), ca. 1950s. Includes short essays and notes on several works, including Prelude of the Afternoon of the Faun and Le spectre de la rose, as well as a small number of halftone photographs printed to the middle four pages.  In fine condition.  24 pp.  5 x 7 inches (12.7 x 17.8 cm.).

Yusaku Azuma was a prominent Japanese ballet dancer in the first half of the 20th century.  He is said to have become interested in ballet after seeing a 1922 performance by Anna Pavlova in Yokohama, and studied with the Japan-based ballet instructor Eliana Pavlova from 1930 to 1935.  He established his own company in 1941.  Yusaku is of particular note for never having studied ballet overseas.  All of his productions were informed on research through books and photographs.