BIJIN JUNI KA GETSU: THE TWELVE MONTHS OF JAPANESE BEAUTIES.[A Polychrome Woodbl

[Tokyo 1898, Ohira Gaho. Blue cloth brocaide album, 14 x 9cm 37 color Oban woodblock prints, title page,prints very clean silver gilt edges, covers corners a bit worn, mended, else clean & solid, accordion folded. FIRST & ONLY RARE ! EDITION *** *** *** . . . A STUNNINGLY SUPERB ALBUM WITH TWELVE TRYPTICHS . . . EXCELLENT CONDITION POLYCHROME WOODBLOCK PRINTS . . . . This is a stunningly superb and most lovely polychrome, woodblock-printed album, complete as issued, with full-page colophon at the rear. . The work depicts the twelve-months of Japanese Bijin [beauties] and children at daily activities and relaxation. . The album consists of twelve Oban triptychs [36 sheets in all], depicting lovely scenes showing the floral Japanese landscape, seaside, flowers, and interiors. All women and children are clothed in stunning floral or other traditional Japanese patterned silk Kimono, each appropriate with the season. . Children are also nicely dressed in silk Kimono or other attire reflective of the location and season. . Each print has a title cartouche in the upper corner, stating the month and book title. Each print has the artist's block signature, red Hanko [cinnabar seal/chop], and the last of each triptychs has the publisher's dated colophon, showing all pertinent information. . *** WHO WAS THE ARTIST: MIYAGAWA Shuntei [1873-1914]: . Shuntei was a pupil of TOMIOKA Eisen. Shuntei was born in Aichi prefecture. Much like the rest of his generation of print artists, Shuntei worked as a book and newspaper illustrator. He is best known for his genre print subjects of women and children playing. . Shuntei produced his finest work at the end of the 19th century. The two famous series of woodcuts entitled "Pictures of Customs" and "Flowers of the World of Pleasure," both Tokyo published in 1897. Shuntei is often regarded as a precursor to the woodcuts of the following generation of famous "Shin Hanga" movement [New Prints], including such famous artists such as Goyo, Shinsui, Hiroaki, Hasui, Kotondo and may others. . Shuntei signed each print using either 'Miyagawa Shuntei' or his other "Go" [studio name] 'Shuntei Gyoshi'. . *** THE SCENES IN 13 TRYPTICHS: From the title page: . 1. Viewing Cherry Blossoms and playing shuttlecock. 2. Hanami: Viewing Cherry blossoms. 3. Children Playing out doors while mother looks on. 4. Peony Viewing. 5. Fuji Mi: Viewing wisteria. 6. Iris Blossoms in Water Viewing. 7. At the Sea shore, bathing and collecting sea shells. 8. Otsuki-mi: Moon viewing, mother, child & lantern. 9. Morning glories and the lake. 10. Momiji-Mi: Viewing the changing colors of Japanese Maple 11. Wearing a new Kimino, preparing for the New Year. 12. Children making a snowman in the garden. 13. Colophon at the end. . **** PUBLISHER: The work was published at Ohira Gaho [press], by MATSUKI Heikichi the publisher. . *** CONDITION: Binding: The album is bound in the original cotton brocade cloth, there is the usual wear to the corners. The lower 1 cm. edge of the front cover has been restored using the same cloth which is brighter and cleaner, laid over to protect that portion. As is, else the back cover edges mild wear through of the cloth, stable, as is. . Prints: The prints are exceptionally clean and fresh, each print is has excellent color and registry. There are a few places showing the usual and minor transfer of some part of the opposing image. This is common and natural for an album of this period, where tissue guards were not used. There is one very small red spot where ink transferred to the opposite page, a common occurrence for prints of this age and period. . Otherwise the prints are the best of collector's condition. . The verso remains clean and unmarked, no issues. . *** REFERENCES: Miyagawa Shuntei: http://www.ifpda.org/content/node/2057 *** .