Condition. The book is in Very Good condition. The covers have several scrapes that break the cloth but the fabric is completely bound to the board. Silk covering spine is broken at the head and foot of the spine. Corners are lightly bumped and frayed. Internally the book is very clean. Minor staining on a few tissue guards. Plates are clean and bright. A very attractive book with excellent woodblock plates. Booksellers label inside the fornt cover.

 
Choice Masterpieces of Korin and Kenzan, Tokyo, The Kokka Company, topographical work by Tokyo Tsukiji Type Foundry, Meiji 39 (1906), folio (13 x 18 in - 33.3 x 45 cm), decorative cloth covered boards, paste on title in Japan, string ties, gilt edges, one page preface, one page table of contents, 11 numbered text pages in English with two text illustrations, 10 color woodblock prints tipped to thick card stock plates, decorative end-papers. One woodblock spans two plates. The numbered text pages include biographical information on Korin and Kenzan and a one paragraph discussion for each of the 10 plates depicting art by of these two artists. Each plate is protected by a descriptive tissue guard with information in English and Japanese. Korin was a leading 17th~18th century artist. Kenzan was a noted ceramics artist of the 17th~18th century. The woodblocks recreate six works by Korin and four works by Kenzan. The woodblocks are of very high quality and present many works that are very recognizable.

This is one book in a series of art reproduction books published by The Kokka. For more information on the other books, click here.

Plate I. The Thirty-Six Select Poets of Ancient Japan. By Korin

Example of Descriptive Tissue Guard

Plate II. An Azalea Tree by a Brook. By Korin

Plate III. Murasaki-shikibu in the Ishiyama-dera Temple. By Korin

Plate IV. Iris Flowers. By Korin

Plate V. Han-shan and Shih-teh. By Korin

Plate VI. A Lacquered Te'-bako with Yatsuhashi Design. By Korin

Plate VII. A Tea-bowl with Kykyo Design. By Kenzan

Plate VIII. Hollyhocks. By Kenzan

Plate IX. A Hahacho on a Rock. By Kenzan

Plate X. A Midare-bako with Susuki and Jakago Desgins. By Kenzan

 
Colophon

Printed: Meiji 39(1906).11.10
Published: Meiji 39(1906).11.15

 

Kazumasa Ogawa was associated with the The Kokka during these period. However, I have no information to indicate that he was envolved in the publication of this book. For information on Kazumasa Ogawa, click here.