Illustrations for Genji monogatari in Fifty-Four Wood-Cut Prints
木版画源氏五十四帖 Mokuhanga Genji gojūyonjō, 1953 very rare original first edition, limited edition of 200 copies. --- full set of 54 prints
Original first edition sets are extremely rare. I'm dealing in Japanese art since about 10 years and I have never seen a complete set
In depth info and references here on Mr. Lavenberg's site: https://www.myjapanesehanga.com/home/artists/ebina-masao-1913-1980/hahakigi-chapter-2-from-the-portf-4329e4324665b72f.html
Publisher Yamada Shoin 山田書院
Carving supervised by Yoshio Kawamo [Kawatsura Yoshio 川面義雄 (1880-1963)]
Impression: excellent
Colors: excellent, embossings, mica, gold and silver colored metallic pigments on most prints. I should note that the scans do not do justice to the superb prints. Depending on the position of the light, silver and mica portions are glowing and upon close inspection or passing one's fingers over, the precise embossings bring an almost 3D feeling.
Condition: excellent, a few stains on the first 3 prints, the rest are spotless
Genre: genji-e
Miscellaneous
Format ōban
H x W Paper 8 11/16 x 12 7/16 in. (22.1 x 31.6 cm)
H x W Image 8 5/16 x 12 in. (21.1 x 30.5 cm)
The production of the woodblock prints was a tour de force. As described by the publisher Yonekichi Yamada, up to one hundred blocks were used for an individual print in order to "capture the complex and delicate coloring of the Yamato-e style paintings on which these prints are based." In addition, deluxe woodblock printing techniques such as the use of metallic gold and silver inks were employed.
from the introductory sheets: ----The Project and the Publisher:
Mr. Yonekichi Yamada with his experience of thirty years in art publication began to undertake the publication of this album in 1953 at his own expence [sic] and sacrificing his personal interest.
Since then, overcoming a number of technical difficulties, he has put his whole heart and soul, helped by several woodblock artists, into realizing the woodblock art of the highest standard.
Their persistent efforts and the propriety as subject matter of Genji Monogatari which is the culmination of our early literature, enabled the publication of this album which reproduces very well the elegant manners of the Heian period. It is not surprising that it has won the highest praise as an album most graceful of this art ever known.
Planner and Chief Editor
Yonekichi YAMADA, the President of YAMADA SHOIN, the publisher
Painter of Original Pictures
Masao EBINA, Winner of 'Hakuji' and Special Prizes
Supervisor of Wood Carving
Yoshio KAWAMO [Kawatsura Yoshio 川面義雄 (1880-1963)*]
Chief Producer
Ryohei NAGAYA
Explainer and Translator
Takei MATSUDA, Litt. D. [Matsuda Taeko 松田武夫 (1904-1973)]
General Supervisors
Isojo, ASOO, Litt.D., Dean of Liberal Arts Faculty, Tokyo University [Asō Isoji 麻生磯次 (1896-1979)*]
Sen-ichi HISAMATSU, Litt. D. the Honorable Prof. of Tokyo University, Member of the Japan Academy
[Hisamtasu Sen'ichi 久松潜一次 (1894-1976]
Booklet missing
Each print is housed in a folder (lightly attached along the top edge on the print verso), with a sheet of tissue paper containing the scene's explanation in both Japanese and English covering the folder's windowed area. The 54 print folders are housed in their original tatou folding box. According to the accompanying series notes, an average of 50 to 60 separate printing operations were performed in creating each design, with some requiring up to 100 printing operations. Included with the prints are several booklets listing various information such as notes on the production of this series, the story of Genji and its author Murasaki Shikibu, as well as a list of print titles with detailed scene explanation. In all, a very beautiful and rare complete set in fine condition.
The nihonga (Japanese-style) painter Ebina Masao, was born in Kyoto on June 21, 1913. His father, Ebina Chōkō 海老名長紅 (1881-1959), was a nihonga painter who must have encouraged his son's artistic talents as Masao was to attend Kyoto City University of Arts starting in 1933. While in the university's graduate program Masao studied under the nihonga painter Kikuchi Keigetsu (1879-1955). In 1937, while still a graduate student, he received a first prize at the first annual Shin Bunten1 exhibition for his work Sō 爽 (さわやか). Completing graduate school in 1940 he would go on to further acclaim, winning the Kyoto Exhibition Award in 1947 and additional awards from the Nitten2, the successor to the Shin Bunten.
Upon Keigetsu's death in 1955 he began studying with nihonga painter Uda Tekison 宇田荻邨 (1896-1980) and would participate in the formation of Tekison's painting school in 1956. He would win a Grand Prize at the 1956 Nitten Exhibition and the Nitten Hakuju Prize in 1970. In 1958 he was commissioned to paint the fusuma (sliding doors) during the renovation of the Kogosho (Court Room building) of the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
In 1976 he became a Nitten Kaiyu or member of the Nitten association. Ebina passed away at the age of 66 on January 4, 1980.
Ebina Masao is best remembered for his humanistic portrayal of women, whether rural farmers or Kyoto maiko and for his woodblock print portfolio Illustrations for Genji monogatari In 54 Wood-cut Prints 木版画源氏五十四帖, first issued in 1953.
