Ki BAITEI (1774-1810)

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One volume complete: Kyuro gafu, “Kyuro’s Picture Album.” ( Kyuro was one of the art-names of Baitei, a Nanga painter in the Buson manner. ) The first edition of this book is in two volumes with haiku, c 1795. However, there is some confusion on the other issues: Mitchell, Biobibliography Of Nanga, Maruyama, Shijo Illustrated Books, pages 402-4, lists three examples: “A” ( 2 vol. 1795 ); “B” ( 2 vol. 1799 ), and “C” ( 1 vol. 1797 ). The example offered here does not tally with either of these having preface of 2 pp. with 64 single-page illustrations plus 2 pp. afterward and colophon dated Kansai 11 ( 1799 ) published by Koto Shorin. There are also examples with 62 pp. of illustrations and some lacking forward and or afterward and colophon. A later edition of 1824 is also known. A famous book with impressive, bold and austere images.

Lacking original covers and title slip and with some offsetting, but generally a nice copy. Ex Bing collection. In chitsu.

Status: Sold