Hakutsuruj (1 results)

Hardcover. Condition: g- to vg-. Ex-Library, first edition. Elephant folios. 12x17". Unpaginated. Vol.1: 42 plates. Vol.2: 61 plates. Rattan cloth portfolio with bone fasteners. Grey silk label with black lettering and gilt ruling, on the front cover of the portfolio. Decorative brown cloth boards, with green string-tied bindings. Black lettering over white silk labels with gilt ruling, on the front covers of both volumes. Gilt-speckled endpapers. #93 (see stickers on the colophon pages at the rear) of a limited edition of an unknown qaunitity, originally not printed for sale. The two volume set features a total of 103 plates of beautifully reproduced works from Japanese artists, many of whose works were highly influenced by Chinese art. Each volume has a some pages of printed poems reproducing masterful calligraphic text by important historical Japanese emperors and monks. Vol.1 contains gorgeous color lithographs with elaborate gilt and silver over-painting, depicting various pieces of Chinese decorative art, including vases, boxes, plates, furniture and other items. Vol.2 contains work in the genres of landscape, historical and "bird and flower" paintings, in b/w photogravure. Each plate is accompanied by a protective tissue guard, with black lettering giving information on the plate. Both volumes contain a comprehensive list of the plates at the front. Binding by Unsodo (the publishing house). Text in Japanese. Portfolio with some rubbing, fraying and/or splitting along the hinges. Bindings with light rubbing to extremities. Some light scratches and smudging to the covers. A few small abrasions and worm holes to the back cover of vol.2. Interiors with light damp staining to endpapers. A few small holes to along the gutter of the first leaves of vol.2. Tissue guards in both volumes with some age toning and some sporadic light foxing, and a small number with vertical creases. A few plates with minor water stains and/or smudges to the margins. Images mostly unaffected. Portfolio in good-, bindings in good, interiors in very good- condition overall.