KEINEN KACHÔ GAFU

1891. [BIRDS & FLOWERS] Imao KEINEN. KEINEN KACHÔ GAFU. Kyoto: Tanaka Jihei. Meiji 24-25 [1891-2]. 4 vols., each approx. 35.5 x 25.1 cm. Vol.1 [Spring] has 31 color woodblock prints of birds and flowers, of which 7 are huge double page prints. Vol.2 [Summer] has 32 plates, of which 8 are double page. Vol.3 [Autumn] has 38 prints, of which 4 are double page. Vol.4 [Winter] has 34 plates, of which 4 are double page, and one is a four page spread. These original Tanaka Jihei issues (which preceded the Unsodo versions) have become quite scarce, complete sets even more so, and sets with the western number captioning (the true first printing) almost impossible to find. The original covers are worn, and the 4 volumes have been placed into heavy cloth outer bindings with supplied title labels. The printings are excellent, the colors much milder than the reprints, subtle and lovely. Complete as issued by Tanaka Jihei, very unusual.