Four illustrated travel guides around the old and new capitals

Property from the Japan Society Library, London

Four illustrated travel guides around the old and new capitals

Edo period, 18^th century

each encased in 20^th century fitted blue linen board cases with impressed gold leaf Japan Society Imperial chrysanthemum crest, and comprising:

Takehara Shunchosai (act. circa 1772-1801) (artist)

Akisato Rito (act. circa 1780-1814) (author)

Illustrations of Famous Places in Kyoto (Miyako meisho zue)

(Supplement) Illustrations of Famous Places in Kyoto ((Shui) Miyako meisho zue)

woodblock printed illustrated book, 11 volumes (complete), comprising 6 volumes, plus 5 supplementary volumes, with poems and explanations, volume 6 preface and postscript dated Anei 9 (1780), published in 1786; the supplementary section dated Tenmei 6 (1786), published in 1787; binding: fukurotoji (pouch binding), pale blue covers 

Tosa Mitsusada (1738-1806) (artist)

Yamaguchi Soken (1759-1818) (artist)

Takehara Shunsensai (active circa 1790s) (artist)

Maruyama Ozui (1766-1829)(artist)

Shimokobe Ikei (active circa 1790s)(artist)

Kinoshita Oju (1777-1815)(artist)

Oku Bunmei (1773-1813)(artist)

Tanaka Totsugen (1760-1823) (artist)

Akisato Rito (act. circa 1780-1814) (author)

Pictorial Guide to Famous Places on the Tokaido (Tokaido meisho zue)

woodblock printed illustrated book, 6 volumes (complete), volume 6 with postscript dated Kansei 9, colophon dated Kansei 7 and Kansei 9 (1796-1797), published by Yanagihara Kihei (principal publisher); binding: fukurotoji (pouch binding), blue covers with pine trees on the slopes of Mount Fuji in mist 

Tosa Mitsusada (1738-1806) (artist)

Yamaguchi Soken (1759-1818) (artist)

Shimokobe Ikei (active circa 1790s)(artist)

Oku Bunmei (1773-1813)(artist)

Tanaka Totsugen (1760-1823) (artist)

; and others

Akisato Rito (act. circa 1780-1814) (author)

 Famous Gardens of Kyoto (Miyako rinsen meisho zue)

woodblock printed illustrated book, 4 volumes, 1799, published by Ogawa Tazaemon; binding: fukurotoji (pouch binding), blue covers 

Nishimura Chuwa (1758-1835) (artist)

Akisato Rito (act. circa 1780-1814) (author)

Famous Places Along the Kiso Road (Kisoji meisho zue)

woodblock printed illustrated book, 6 volumes (complete) (volume 1 in two parts), volume 1 preface dated Bunka 2 (1805), volume 6 with colophon dated Bunka 2 (1805), publisher Nishimura Kichibei (Kyoto), and others; binding: fukurotoji (pouch binding), blue covers

Each obon: approx. 26 x 18 cm., 10¼ x 7⅛ in.