Tagharan (Song book), a collection of odes for the soul and the body, was one of the first five books published by Hakob Meghapart (Jacob the Sinner), who established the first Armenian printing press in Venice in 1512. Little is known about Hakob Meghapart, or why he styled himself “the Sinner” (or “the Sinful”). Armenia was at that time under the rule of the Ottoman Turks, and the Diaspora community played a critical role in keeping alive the Armenian language and literary tradition. The book is written in Grabar (Classical Armenian). The pages have titles, each surrounded by frames. Frames from other works printed by Hakob Meghapart are used, including the 16 frames in the Parzatumar (Armenian liturgical calendar) and frames from the Aghhtark’ (An astrological treatise) and the Pataragatetr (Missal). Decorative letters appear on many pages, and the book is printed in black and red. A printer’s symbol appears at the end.