Bairei Kono:
Bairei Hyakucho Gafu (Bairei's Album of One Hundred Birds), Tokyo, Kineido and Kyoto, Okura Magobei, Meiji 14 (1881), printed paper covers with title label, string tied with strings what wrap around the spin at four points, Japanese text, 3 volumes, 8vo (6 1/2 x 9 3/4 in - 16.6 x 24.8 cm), handmade paper in folded leaves, 65+ folded leaves with 100 fine woodblock prints of birds in their natural habitat. The woodblocks often include birds among flowers and plants. The woodblock plates include single page plates as well as plates that span two adjoining pages. Each bird is identified in Japanese and each plate has the artist's seal/hanko.

The volumes are designated on the title label:

1. 
   "Ten" (Sky) Volume - 36 different birds depicted on 43 pages (21 1/2 folded pages) of color woodblocks (7 illustrations span two adjoining pages while 29 are single page). There are an additional 5 pages with Japanese text only (includes inside the covers). In total 48 pages or 23 folded pages and two single pages. The front Japanese text page, which is attached to the cover, is actually a double fold page but the back side of the page is attached to the paper cover. There is printing on the side attached to the cover.

2. 
   "Chi" (Ground/Earth) - 32 different birds depicted on 44 pages (22 folded pages) of color woodblocks (12 illustrations span two adjoining pages while 20 are single page). There are an additional 4 pages with Japanese text only (includes inside the covers). In total 48 pages or 23 folded pages and two single pages. The front Japanese text page, which is attached to the cover, is actually a double fold page but the back side of the page is attached to the paper cover. There is printing on the side attached to the cover.

3. 
   "Hito" (People) - 32 different birds depicted on 44 pages (based upon published listings - not personally confirmed).

"Ten" (Sky) Volume

"Ten" (Sky) Volume

Introduction.

Color Woodblock Plates

 
Close-up of Artist's Hanko/Seal

 
Colophon - Meiji 14 (1881)

Meiji 14 (1881).10.18

 
Seals on Colophon

"Chi" (Earth) Volume

"Chi" (Earth) Volume

Introduction & Color Woodblock Plates

 
Colophon - Meiji 14 (1881)

Meiji 14 (1881).10.18