Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)

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Two volumes complete: Toto shokei ichiran, “Fine Views of the Eastern [Edo] Capital at a Glance.” Shows famous places in Edo with accompanying kyoka poems at the top. Volume 1: 10 sheets, 1 p. preface. Volume 2: 11 sheets with colophon giving date Kwansei 12 (1800). Publishers Tsutaya Jusaburo, Suharaya Mohei and Suharaya Ihachi. Ando Enshi engraver and artist Hokusai shinsei. This book was first published with title Toto meisho ichiran by Tsutaya Jusaburo. Shortly afterwards the title was changed and the two other publishers joined Tsutaya Jusaburo. This is the edition offered here. Original hand-painted covers with a decoration of iris flowers and water (only found on the original edition). The blocks were subsequently sold to the Nagoya publisher Hishiya Kinbei who reissued it in 1815 together with Suharaya Mohei and Ihachi. The blocks were yet again sold, this time to Kawachiya Mohei who issued another reprint in 1840 with the above publishers. A lovely early example of this famous book. Cover and title slips in very good condition.

One wormhole affecting last 4 pages at the top outside image area, otherwise contents fine and clean. Provenance: Large seal of Hayashi Tadamasa at the start to each volume.

Status: Sold