TOKAIDO MEISHO ZUE: FAMOUS SIGHTS & PLACES ALONG THE 53 STATIONS OF THE TOKAIDO

Kyoto 1797, Yanagiwara. Stitched buff wrs., 6 vols. bound in 2,[456p.], 170 full +5 single page woodcut plates, 18 x 25.5 cm., very good example, covers a bit dusty, solidly bound, title slips. RARE FIRST EDITION . *** **** *** . . A PRIMARY DESCRIPTION OF JAPAN'S MOST FAMOUS ROAD . . . THE 53 STATIONS OF THE TOKAIDO [EASTERN HIGHWAY] . . . FROM KYOTO TO EDO . . * A fascinating primary resource travelogue, profusely illustrated by several well-known artists of the time. . This work covers the complete Tokaido road, from Kyoto to Edo, fifty-three stations in all. Each described and illustrated. . Profusely illustrated, showing each of the stations, their Ryokan [inns], Chaya [tea houses], rivers, mountains, famous sights, bird's-eye-views and panoramas, shrines, temples, Matsuri [festivals], celebrations, ferrying across wide rivers, Samurai, Ronin, retainers, nobility, Buddhist priests & monks, the sea shore, Beto [horse grooms], horses, palanquins, sailing vessels, coolies, porters, farmers, travelers of all categories and types. With a fascinating section on Mt. Fuji in all its views and aspects. . With grand panoramic views of landscapes, Buddhist temples, Shintô shrines and Edo period genre scenes of everyday life. . These images were inspirational for Hokusai and Hiroshige, who later created prints with similar landscapes. The influence found in Hiroshige's TOKAIDO GOJU SAN TSUGI [FIFTY-THREE STATIONS OF THE TOKAIDO] series has a direct relationship to this work. . An excellent primary resource for culture, customs, costume and life style of the Edo period genre. For a complete list of subjects & places see Mitchell pp.528-529. . *** THE AUTHOR: AKIZATO [AKISATO] Ritoh [Shunfuku] [active 1776-1830] was a prolific writer of the period and wrote several important other similar Meisho [guides to famous places] titles during his tenure. He was a Haiku poet and garden architect. Visit our website to see others by him. . *** THE ARTISTS: This title was profusely Sumizuri illustrated by 26 famous and eminent artists of the time. Depending on the bibliographer, each cites a painter of his choice. The main artist was KITAO Masayoshi [1764-1824]. . Toda cites TAKEHARA Shunsensai [Nobushige] [active 1798-1818], Brown cites Oku Bummei [pupil of Okyo and Bumpo]. Maruyama Okyo, Kitao Keisai, Soken Shunsi, Ishida, Yutei, Soyen, Nagatoshi and Keisai Masayoshi [1764-1824] and others. . The above bibliographies cite lists of these eminent artists. Each illustration was signed in block with the artist's personal Hanko [seal or chop]. See Mitchell p.529, and Toda p.334 for a complete list of artists. . This work contains a wide variety of representative painters of different schools of the time, an excellent comparative of the various forms of Japanese painting of the Edo period. . Woodblocks were engraved by Higuchi. . *** RARITY: This set is "RARE" per Brown's statement on page 105. . *** THE BINDING & PAGINATION: The set is bound in two blind-stamped swastika pattern, buff stiff wrappers, in 2 volumes. Each contains three parts [Maki], for a total of 6 parts in all, woodblock printed on double-folded leaves: . Maki: Leaves: double-page illustrations: single page illustrations: 1. 4,2,71. 26 2. 82 36 3. 80 26 4. 70 21 1 5. 67 31 3 6. 80 30 1 -------------------------------------------- total 456 170 5 . *** CONDITION: Binding: The work is bound in original wrappers. There is the usual soil, rubbing, a few old worm holes, small bits missing or wormed title slips, edge wear and staining commensurate with a book 221 years old. Otherwise the bindings are firm and solid performing its duty to protected the contents. . The contents: Woodblock printed on Washi [hand-made] paper, remains remarkable clean, free from stain or soiling, bright white with very good impression and registry. Volume 1 has some very minor and occasional small old worming holes limited by and large to the margins. Volume 2 has a couple of similar but minor old worming holes. …