BOSTON BOOK COMPANY ~ CATALOGUE 37A ~ E2

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NICE SET OF BUMPÔ ON KYÔTO

106. [Ehon] Kawamura Bumpô, artist. TEITÔ GAKEI ICHIRAN. Osaka & Kyoto: Morimoto Tasuke (O), Chôjiya Genjirô (K), Yoshida Shimbei (K) 1809 - [1816] 4 volumes. 25.5 x 16.5 cm. This set is identical to the Mitchell copy (p.518,519), save for the following: 1) There is no separate ad page before the colophon at the end of volume two; 2) Most of the poems in volumes three are sealed, while the Mitchell copy ’s were not. 3) Chôjiya Genjirô replaces Ogawa Tazaemon of Osaka as second publisher in volume two. 4) The format of the colophon in volume four is almost identical to that of volume two and is dated 1809, including an ad for all three volumes of BUMP Ô GAFU as being in production, hence the ad had to be after 1813. Ogawa Tazaemon is listed as the second publisher.

In any case, Chôjiya Genjirô appears to have published some other Bumpô titles (see Mitchell/Ryerson). This is a handsome printing, particularly of the final two volumes, of intermediate age (late 1820 ’s?, early 1830’s?) The first two volumes are lovely as well and printed in a “Bunka style” and coloration. In addition, the covers, though apparently original and consistent (vols 1 &2 and 3&4 are identical) do not appear to have been published at the same time, i.e., these books don ’t appear to have been issued as a mid-century four volume set (as most sets seen in the market appear to be). A few images have a color block or two missing, but overall quite handsome and effective.

There has been a theory advanced that Chôjiya Genjirô had not been involved with Bumpô’s books until after 1837 [Ellis Tinios of Leeds in Print Collector’s Quarterly, 9/94] - this set would seem to indicate a slightly earlier involvement.

In a 20th century clasped chitsu case. The condition of the books with original title labels is quite clean.

$1,250.00

107. (EHON) KAWAMURA Bumpô. KANGA SHINAN NIHEN. Kyoto: Hishiya Magobei, n.d. 3 vols. Though the afterword is dated 1810, this copy does not have the 1811 colophon listing several other booksellers besides the principal publicher, Hishiya Magobei. Rather the colophon lists Hishiya Magobei, alone. Our assumption from the colors and the colophon is that this is a somewhat later edition. A very clean and plesant copy. 26 x 17.5 cm. String-bound, Japanese style in yellow covers with paper labels. This “second series” of the KANGA SHINAN [Manual of Chinese-style Painting] was the only one illustrated by Bumpô and was published over thirty years after the first series, so it obviously stands on its own as an independent work. The simple designs are in sumi and light colors. The condition of the three volumes is very good (one title slip missing) in fair to good impression. One of the scarcer of Bumpô’s works. [Mitchell p.335, Ryerson 385, Brown 104] Complete, as issued:

$985.00

UNUSUAL AND SOUGHT-AFTER WORK BY KYÔSAI

108. [EHON] Kawanabe KYÔSAI, artist. KYÔSAI MANGA Shohen. Tokyo, Makino Kichibei, Meiji 14 [1881] String-bound Japanese-style fukuro-toji. Printed paper covers with a blind-stamped floral pattern and printed paper title label. 22.6 x 15.3 cm. The inside front cover is a subtley printed red sheet with a design of a mountain hermitage, followed by a 2-sheet (4 pp.) preface, dated Meiji 14, another subtitle page and images, the latter occupying 25 sheets in all. There is a final colophon which lists volumes two and three as coming “soon."

The images are mostly light grey and even lighter pink color and range from tiny vignettes to double page images, from comic to powerful, all in Kyôsai’s inimitable style. A tour d’force and a very scarce one, at that. It is not in any of the standard references save Brown (a brief notice). In any event, recommended as an excellent example of Kyôsai at his best - which is very good, indeed. Some soiling, overall good impressions in good condition. Apparently complete in one volume:

SOLD

109. [EHON] Keisai Kitao Masayoshi, artist. RYAKUGASHIKI & JIMBUTSU RYAKUGASHIKI. Two works bound together: RYAKUGASHIKI, published in Edo by Suharaya Ichibei, Kansei 7 [1795]. Complete, as described at Mitchell p.453 with 60 illustrations, b+w & color. Bound together with JIMBUTSU RYAKUGASHIKI, published in Edo by Suharaya Ichibei, Kansei 11 [1799], as described at Mitchell, p.316. With a common light peach-colored cover, and printed title label [JIMBUTSU RYAKUGASHIKI] and a general Suharaya Ichibei colophon on the inside of the back cover, dated zodiacally as 1797. In a later brocade-covered clasped chitsu case. An interesting issue with soft paper and mild rich colors. Very nice printings of these important works.

SOLD

110. [EHON] KIKUCHI Yôsai. KIKUCHI YÔSAI GAFU. 2 vols., Tokyo, Meiji 24 [1891], Ôkura Magobei. String bound, Japanese-style, fukuro-toji. Printed paper title labels, silk covered flexible covers. The remains of the original publisher ’s portfolio covers are present, though the hinges are split. The books themsselves are very good, in like colors and impression. Color woodcut illustrations. Yôsai was familiar with the idioms of both Japanese and Western art. Not a particularly common work, Mitchell had not seen a copy but references Brown. Yôsai was enormously longlived (1788-1878) and influential, with many important students to whom he stressed the importance of independence and individual creativity.

$950.00

LARGE FORMAT BAIREI BIRD BOOKS

111. [EHON] Kôno BAIREI, artist. BAIREI KACHÔ GAFU, 2 vols., Tokyo, Ôkura Shoten, Meiji 32 [1899]. Large [9 3/4” x 14 1/2”] format books of ôban-size color woodcut images, each sealed “Bairei”. Each volume [Spring & Summer; Fall & Winter] consists of 25 images, 50 in all. The designs are fresh and lively - perhaps the finest of the large-format bird compilations of mid to late-Meiji era Japan and certainly one of the scarcest. This copy has a bit of wear and soiling, but overall it is a very nice copy of the book. [Mitchell 217 references this printing (seen by him) as a re-issue of the Okura edition of 1883 - both issues are very unusual.] Complete.

SOLD

BAIREI CHRYSANTHEMUM SET

112. [EHON] Kôno BAIREI, artist. BAIREI KIKU HYAKUSHU. Tokyo: Ôkura Magobei, Meiji 24, 25 & 29; [1891, 92 & 96]. 3 vols., orihon in stiff blue patterned paper covers, printed paper labels. 24.7 X 16.5 cm. There are 22 double page color prints in each volume, illustrating various identified species of chrysanthemum. A lovely work, with imaginative compositions of flowers and landscape, flowers and birds, etc. Quite nicely printed in restrained colors. One of Bairei ’s scarcer works, and certainly one of his best. See Hillier, vol. 2 p.969; Mitchell 217; Ryerson 427. Unusual complete as it was published over the course of several years. Our copy is in very good condition, 3 vols., complete:

SOLD

113.[EHON] Kubota BEISEN. WORLD’S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION (BIJUTSUHIN GAFU) 3 vols., Tokyo, Okura, Meiji 26 [1893] 24.4 x 15.7 cm., bound western-style in color woodblock printed covers. Printed, text and illustrations, in color woodcut throughout. Beisen, an important popular artist of the day, attended the Fair in Chicago and viewed Japan ’s Pavilion, among others. Here he has created a lengthy pictorial guide to the Fair.

Usually only the first two volumes are found, here with three volumes, unusual thus, especially in such nice condition.

SOLD

114. [Ehon] Mori SHUNKEI, artist. CHÛKA SENCHU np, nd [Kyoto?, c. 1905] 20.8 x 27.5 cm. Orihon folding album. Silk covered board covers with paper title slip as above. As Kaempfer describes in his article in ESSAYS ON JAPANESE ART.... this is a complex work bibliographically. Initially published in 1820 with a preface and poems throughout, it was reprinted sans poetry, preface and colophon many times throughout the rest of the century (also see Mitchell pp. 494,5.) This is a very well printed late Meiji edition consisting of the twelve color prints of insects and plants, with nothing else. Despite being a late rendition, a remarkable and lovely work. In very good colors and impression. There has been some browning and there is a bit of skuffing to the final image, but still a beautiful book. Complete:

SOLD

115. [EHON] Morikawa SÔBUN, artist. MIYAKO MEISHO NIJÛGO-KEI. Kyoto: Tanaka Jihei, Meiji 28 [1895]. Orihon in stiff covers with a printed title label, 24.1 x 15.7 cm. 25 double page color woodblock images of scenes in and around Kyoto. Besides the 25 images, there is a two page preface, two pages of a table of contents, and a two page afterword by Tomioka Tessai. The delicate pastoral scenes are in S ôbun‘s unmistakable late Shijô/early Nihonga Kyoto style, and the printing is up to Tanaka Jihei’s usual high standard.

This book appears in none of the standard references. Sôbun was an important artist of the period who contributed to several anthologies of the time, but no separate work by him appears in Ryerson or Mitchell.

Fine condition overall, and the impressions are very good. An unusual item. Complete in a clasped chitsu case.

SOLD

116. (EHON) NAKAMURA Fusetsu & KAWAHIGASHI Hekigotô. HAIGA HÔ. Tokyo: Kôkadô, 1909. 23 x 15.4 cm. String-bound Japanese style in flexible covers with stamped title. This visual and textual examination of the relationship between “haiga“, haiku drawings, and the the haiku themselves was a collaborative effort between Fusetsu, a Western-style oil painter who was also perhaps the most eminent practitioner of haiga in his day, and Hekigot ô, a noted haiku poet. They were both intimates of Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902) and leaders of the influential literary circle associated with HOTOTOGISU magazine. Counting the decorative title page, there are 13 full page color woodcuts after designs by Fusetsu, 40 calligraphed haiku by Hekigot ô reproduced in woodcut and a 38 page scholarly discussion by Fusetsu, as well as a few collotypes. A remarkable piece both visually and for its significance for the development of a new literary and visual aesthetic for Japan in the 20th century. Overall, this copy is very good in rubbed covers. Enclosed in protective modern clasped chitsu case.

$650.00

117. [EHON] Nakamura Fusetsu, artist. FUSETSU HAIGA. Tokyo: Kôkadô, Meiji 43 [1910]. 2 volumes, 27.9 x 16.4 cm., Green paper covers with printed paper labels, string-bound Japanese style, fukuro-toji. In a modern clasped chitsu case. This is the first printing of April 1910. There is a seven page introduction by Natsume S ôseki, the famed novelist and friend of Fusetsu, on the theory of haiga art.

Each volume consists of 20 color haiga prints, in addition the first volume has the S ôseki preface reproducing his handwriting and the second volume has a one page print in stone-rubbing style and a color frontispiece. There are typeset explanations of the plates at the end of each volume. See Hillier, Vol.2 pp. 999, 1001; Mitchell pp.258-9; Ryerson pp.404-5.

This copy is very clean and unusual thus. By no means a common book and an important one, as the collaborators S ôseki, Kyôshi, Hekigotô, and Fusetsu, himself, were among the most influential poets, artists, authors and literary critics of their day. They were the backbone of the important haiku magazine HOTOTOGISU.

SOLD

118. [EHON] Ogata Kôrin, artist. KÔRIN JUUNIZU. [n.d; n.p; - Tokyo? Kyoto?, c.1895] orihon, 26.3 X 19.8 printed title on paper boards. Compiled by Hashimoto (Bakka?). 12 lovely full-color woodblock images after designs by the great early 18th century artist, Ogata K ôrin. One fold repaired else very good - very good impressions, excellent colors. Complete.

$685.00

LOVELY MEIJI ISSUE OF KÔRIN GAFU

119. [EHON] Ogata KÔRIN (copied by Nakamura HÔCHÛ). KÔRIN GAFU 2 vols.. Yellow covers, 25.7 X 18.5 cm. Printed paper title labels. 25 double page prints. A recut and reprint version of the original edition of 1802, done in the mid to late Meiji period [1890 ’s] (see the discussion in Keyes, THE ART OF SURIMONO, vol. 2 p.450) A handsome version of one of the signature works of Japanese book illustration, here in good condition, colors and impression. Though a late version it captures much of the charm of the original. [AV]

SOLD

IN THE ORIGINAL BOX

120. [EHON] Ôta Saburô, artist. ASA GIRI Tokyo, Meiji 45 [1912]. 2 volumes, string-bound Japanese style, 19.1 x 13 cm. Each volume contains 35 color prints with a facing page of text. The prints appear to be a hybrid of lithography and color woodcut. [See Hillier ’s discussion of the book in his ART OF THE JAPANESE PRINTED BOOK]. These small volumes constitute a truly remarkable work and one of the most important examples of the Japanese picture book genre produced in this century.

Our copy is in very good condition overall, with only a few foxed pages internally. It is enclosed in the original publishers box with a printed title label and is one of the nicer copies we have seen. Unusual in such nice condition. Complete:

$1,500.00

SENGAI EHON

121. [EHON] SENGAI. ENTSÛ ZENSHI IBOKU. Meiji 27 [1894], Fukuoka. 23 x 15 cm, string bound fukuro-toji, Japanese-style. Yellow covers, printed in kara-zuri patterns, printed paper title label. B+W and sumi shading throughout on the Zenga illustrations after designs by Sengai. (Hillier vol. 1 pp. 230-232; Mitchell, p.253) Good impressions and condition, with the seals on each illustration. Zenga works are hard to come by.

SOLD

122. [EHON] Sensai EITAKU, artist. BANBUTSU HINAGATA GAFU. Tokyo Meiji 13-15 [1880-2]. 5 volumes, complete. b+w woodblock prinbted images after Eitaku designs. The back cover of volume one mismatches, else in good condition, good impressions, throughout. Eitaku was a popular and prolific artist in a traditional vein during the Meiji era - illustrating many books and ehon.

SOLD

MEIJI VERSION OF KISHI EMPÛ

123. [EHON] Shûho, artist. KAKUCHÛ EMPÛ. Kyoto, Unsôdô, n.d. [1903]. 16.6 X 25.1 cm. Orihon folding album in original paper-covered boards and printed paper title label. This abridged version of the KISHI EMPU was publsihed 100 years after the original edition. The 11 double page color woodcuts by Uns ôdô capture at least some of the energy and charm of the inimitable original. Very good condition, in a cloth clasped chitsu case.

SOLD

EUROPEAN LANDSCAPES IN COLOR WOODBLOCK

124. [EHON] Takashima HOKKAI, artist. ÔSHÛ SANSUI KISHÔ. Tokyo: Tôyôdô, Meiji 26 [1893]. 2 vols., 24.5 x 18 cm, orihon album, in silk over stiff paper covers, printed paper title label. Hokkai (1850-1931) was an important landscape artist (see Roberts, p.170). Neither Hokkai nor any of his works appear in any of the standard ehon references in English, which is odd considering the quality of this book and his eminence in Japan. The ÔSHÛ consists of a series of 40 double page color landscape woodcuts of France, Italy and Scotland. The emphasis is upon the mountains and hillsides, in short the nature of Europe, not its cities. A remarkable and very unusual work. Overall in fine condition with original fukuro dustwrapper and very good or better impressions. With Hokkai ’s red fish-shaped seals.

$1,875.00

SEIHÔ’S VIEWS OF FUJI

125. [EHON] Takeuchi Seihô, artist. SEIHÔ JÛNI FUJI. Kyoto: Yamada Naosaburô & Tanaka Jihei, Meiji 27 [1894] 22.7 x 32.5 cm Oblong orihon folding album of 12 full page color woodblocks with a one page preface and one page table of contents and a following colophon. In burlap cloth over boards covers with a silk title label. A remarkably clean copy of this work in good impressions and colors. [See Hillier ’s volume 2, p.991; Mitchell p.464; Brown p.202]

SOLD

TANI BUNCHÔ

126. [EHON] Tani BUNCHÔ, artist. SHAZANRÔ GAHON. Tôto [Edo]; Izumiya Tôjiro, Bunsei 9 [1826]. Original dark green/blue covers, printed paper title label. 27.2 X 18.8 cm. 5 pages of prefatory material are followed by 40 pages of sumi-e and color prints, mostly double page, sealed prints, then a one page afterword by Bunch ô and a one page colophon/ad page by Izumiya. With the exception of one small spot of ink on one page, about as nice a copy of this book as one could ever hope to find. We have compared it to a copy with the 1816 colophon and found ours equivalent, if not actually a bit better, illustrating yet again the profound complexity of Japanese bibliography. This copy is printed on very thin paper, much thinner than the norm. The printing is very early and impeccable, the colors appropriate, the overall condition very good or better. In Bunch ô’s inimitable style reminiscent of his work for the MEIKA GAFU.

$4,250.00

125 DOUBLE-PAGE COLOR WOODBLOCK BOTANICALS

127. [EHON] Tanigami Kônan, artist. Seiyô SÔKA ZUFU. Kyoto: Unsôdô, Taishô 6 [1917]. 5 volumes. Orihon folding albums, each 27.8 x 18.8 cm, in green boards with printed paper title labels. There are two “Spring” volumes, bound separately. Two “Summer” volumes, “Fall” & “Winter” are bound together with a cover uniform with the other four and an appropriate publisher ’s title slip. They are in the worn publisher’s chitsu clasped case with a printed title label. Each volume numbers its color woodblock prints up to “25”. Each volume has a table of contents listing 25 prints [in English, kana and kanji, where appropriate]. Thus, a complete set consists of 125 (each image size 22.4 x 33.1cm) double page prints.

There is no mention of this book in any of the standard Western references (a fact which illustrates again the need for an Uns ôdô bibliography!) These “Seiyô”, i.e. “Western”, flowers are depicted in a realistic fashion and printed in lovely rich colors with a great deal of skill. Unlike some other botanicals, no bald descriptive text intrudes upon the print itself. The captions are banished to the margin. The impressions in this set are very good and the colors lovely. Overall the condition is very good. Extraordinary set.

SOLD

DOUBLE-ÔBAN SIZE BOTANICALS

128. [EHON] Tanigami KÔNAN, artist. ZÔKEI KAKICHO San. Kyoto, Unsôdô, Shôwa 4 [1929]. There is a complex series of puns involved with the titling of this work. Suffice it to say that the title describes a collection of designs of flowers and grasses of an unusually large size. They are, indeed, unusually large for the genre. Each of the 10 double page prints is approximately 31 x 44.5 cm in image size within the printed borders. This volume is volume 3 of three. We have found no reference to this book in the Western literature, but K ônan is well-known for his five volume set on Western flowers. Very delicate and lovely printing in very nice condition. Within edgeworn cloth over board covers, printed silk title label.

$1,650.00

129. [EHON] Tsuji HÔZAN, artist. BITCHÛ MEISHO ZUE [KÔ] 4 vols.. N.P. Gyokushô-en, Bunsei 5 [1822]. 26.4 x 18.5 cm. String-bound Japanese style, fukuro-toji. Though the main copy catalogued in Mitchell is in 2 vols, hand cover-titled “KÔ“, he acknowledges 4 volume copies as wel, cover-titled “ZUE”, All internal titling of this work is “KÔ” & “Jô-Ge”, as well, leading one to infer that the original form of this work was the 2 volume binding. With blue grey plain paper covers, 18 double page illustrations, lightly colored (more lightly and more toward the blue range than the 2 volume version we have seen) In very good condition, colors and impressions. Has an advertisement for Suharaya Mohei and many other Edo, Kyoto, Owari and Osaka booksellers laid onto the inside back cover.

A very interesting and lovely work, at one time attributed to Suiseki, as the images are reminiscent of his work (and hence very good indeed), It has been established that H ôzan was not Suiseki, however, as his identity can be traced independently through contemporary sources. Complete, in a 20th century chitsu clasped case. Very scarce work. [SJ]

$2,950.00

130. [EHON] Tsukioka Settei. EHON SAGASHIGUSA [ONNA BUYÛ YOSO-OI KURABE]. Edo: Suharaya Mohei & Osaka: Ôno Kihei, Meiwa 3 [1766]. 3 vols in one, string-bound Japanese-style in later covers with brushed title label. 26.8 X 18.4 cm, appears to be complete as a gappon.

Settei here signs himself Tsukioka Masanobu. One of the finest and most powerful of the mid-18th century ukiyo-e masters. The line is virile, the compositions daring - a thoroughly satisfying work - BUT, though it has been repaired, many of the illustrations (at least a fifth of them) have been irremedialy damaged. The first printing was issued in H ôreki 6 [1757], but this issue is also every well printed. Very scarce work - few copies are located in KSSM.

$975.00

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