Gwajo by [EHON] ITÔ JAKUCHÔ *JAKUCH* - Meiji 41 [1908].

Kyoto: Unsôdô, Meiji 41 [1908]. . Second Edition. Chitsu with ivory clasps. Very Good. 4 Volumes. 4to (33.8 x 26.4 cm). Contemporary string bound Japanese style stiff paper boards contained in printed fabric covered chitsu clasped case. Collation: 100 full pate color prints in 4 volumes. The volumes and chitsu in good condition. This is second edition [saihan] of the set of Jakuchô color designs in a circular format, which Unsôdô originally published in 1890. “Itô Jakuchû, also known as Jokin and Tobei-an, lived between 1716 and 1800, and became one of the most famous Kyôto painters of his time….He received his early training from an obscure artist of the Kanô school, but later in life devoted himself to realistic work in the style of the Ming paintings…. Although known chiefly as a great painter, there are a few books containing reproductions of his work. The Jakuchû Gwajô, two gwajô of superb drawins of flowers, plants, etc., in white on black ground, was printed from stone blocks and retouched with Chinese white. Copies of the first edition are immensely valuable, and even Yamada’s modern reprint is and expensive book. Other publications printed by Yamada containing reproductions of Jakuchû’s work are the /Jakuchû Gwafu/ in four volumes, and the /Gempo Yokwa/, both beautiful books.” (Brown, p. 116-117).

“Itô Jakuchû, also known as Jokin and Tobei-an, lived between 1716 and 1800, and became one of the most famous Kyôto painters of his time….He received his early training from an obscure artist of the Kanô school, but later in life devoted himself to realistic work in the style of the Ming paintings…. Although known chiefly as a great painter, there are a few books containing reproductions of his work. The Jakuchû Gwajô, two gwajô of superb drawins of flowers, plants, etc., in white on black ground, was printed from stone blocks and retouched with Chinese white. Copies of the first edition are immensely valuable, and even Yamada’s modern reprint is and expensive book. Other publications printed by Yamada containing reproductions of Jakuchû’s work are the /Jakuchû Gwafu/ in four volumes, and the /Gempo Yokwa/, both beautiful books.” (Brown, p. 116-117). The images in this set are most striking being beautiful artistically set images of plans in a circular area against a beige brown back- ground. The use of artistically cut multiple woodblocks to execute the images made it possible that each plate has brilliant color with subtle elegance. Each plate has the feel of an art nouveau painting. This is an exceptional work from the Ganku and Chines Schools of Japanese Block Printing as discussed by Brown. (1^st Ed. 1890, Mitchell, p. 314 )