Keisai Ryakuga Zen 恵斎畧画全

Kuwagata Keisai 鍬形恵斎, artist (also known as Kitao Masayoshi 北尾政美). Keisai Ryakuga Zen 恵斎畧画全. Touto 東都 (Tokyo/Edo). Suharaya Mōhei. n.d. [c.1850s]. 25.2 x 18.2cm string-bound, Japanese-style, fukuro-toji with the original printed title label. The title on the internal title page is Keisai Ryakuga-En 恵斎畧画苑. 32 cho including introductory notes, with publisher advertisements pasted down on inside rear wrapper. The title and artist name are handwritten in Englishon rear wrapper, with library call numbers underneath.

Though this work was originally published in 1823 (see the copy at Fukuoka University) the colors and paper make it clear this is not a Bunsei era production. This copy has the rather bold colors and thicker paper of late Edo, early Meiji. As the name Tokyo is not employed, I would assume this is a product of the 1850s or 60s, before the Restoration.

Deaccessioned from the Brookline Public Library. The Ryakuga 畧画 (Abbreviated Drawing) genre retains its freshness today with its elegant, simple lines; it sketches the world in very few strokes.

Wear to covers. A lovely later example of the genre in the original color woodcut. Very good condition.