Kawanabe Kyosai (1831-1889) | Kyosai's Intoxicaed Drawings (Kyosai suiga) | Meiji period, late 19th century

Property from the Japan Society Library, London

Kawanabe Kyosai (1831-1889)

Kyosai's Intoxicaed Drawings (Kyosai suiga)

Meiji period, late 19^th century

woodblock printed illustrated book (ehon), 3 volumes (complete), 1882-84, published by Matsuzaki Hanzo, printed by Otsuka Tetsugoro, original covers and title slips; binding: fukurotoji (pouch binding), encased in a 20^th century fitted blue linen board case with impressed gold leaf Japan Society Imperial chrysanthemum crest

comprising:

volume 1: title page titled Kyosai suiga (shohen), 2 page preface by Saishu Keiso (dates unknown), colophon dated 1882 (Meiji 15), original orange cover embossed with stylised design and title slip written in seal script (tensho)

volume 2: title page Kyosai suiga (nihen), 2 page preface by Kikakudo Eiki (1823–1904), colophon dated 1883 (Meiji 16), original dark blue cover embossed with stylised design, title slip written in clerical script (reisho)

volume 3: title page titled Kyosai suiga (sanpen), 2 page preface by Okano Eitaro (dates unknown), colophon dated 1884 (Meiji 17), original pale blue cover embossed with stylised design and title slip written in semi-cursive script (gyosho)