Hyakunin Isshu zukō ogura no nishiki' 百人一首図考 小倉のにしき, volume 2- One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets- Nishiki designs, 芸艸堂, Kyōto : Unsōdō, 1935-37
There are no copies for sale on the western market right now.
1 volume comprising 20 designs created by Kyoto-based Yuzen designer Iida Shiko. It is recorded that Iida was moved by Dr. Sasaki Nobutsuna's book of waka poems titled Hyakunin Isshu Kogi , and made the designs for this set of books, based on the doctor s work, over a period of five years. In Hyakunin Isshu Zuko Ogura no Nishiki , he transforms the meanings and backgrounds of famous Heian period poems into faithful images, which are recorded in gorgeous colour woodblock-printed illustrations. Original orihon accordion-folding binding.
Volume comes with a dated preface, two double printed pages with the names of the poets, their poems and annotations, and a colophon
Exterior cardboard with cloth worn and tear in some corners. Yellowish due to age, occasional foxing very few and nothing serious. Overall very good to near fine. Each volume has 24 leaves. 20 prints in total.
Gorgeous woodblocks, mica, gold and silver flakes and leaf are added to almost all designs, very delicate embossings. All pages are scanned and any damage can be seen. First half of the first design of the volume missing.
A truly rare treasure not to be missing from any collector's library. This is the first edition, Showa 10-12 (1935-1937). The original woodblocks, property of Unsodo, were lost/destroyed in the war so the few editions that followed were linotype or color collotype reproductions. They did made recarved blocks in recent years. A few copies are still available on japanese market, none available in western world.
Enjoy this feast of craftmanship!
Total weight 1.5 kg. Shipping insured and express by DPD/FedEx/UPS, reaching anywhere in EU and US in 3-6 days.
