Uozukushi
Tokyo, Daikokuya, Meiji 44 (1911). Hiroshige, Utagawa (artist) Uozukushi (Every Variety of Fish). (Reprint) Daikokuya: Tokyo, Meji 44 (1911). (240x175mm) cloth bds, lepperollo oblong colour wood block prints (240x350mm), In Japanese. Near Fine
Second-hand hardcover
歌川広重 [HIROSHIGE, Utagawa] [born Andō Tokutarō (安藤 徳太郎 (1797–1858)]
さかなつくし [Uo Zukushi] [Shoal of Fishes]
Tokyo : 大黒屋 [Daikokuya], Meji 44, [1911]. First and only edition thus; illustrations first published Tenpō 3-4 [1832-3] and Tenpō 11-13 [1840-42]
(240x175mm) tatami mat style boards, illustrated colour title label, accordion or lepperello folding horizontal chūban album, cream handmade paper, seven nishiki-e woodblock engraved illustrations with kirazuri silver mica decoration. Boards faintly soiled, edges lightly frayed; hinges fragile, first fold neatly split; remnants of bookseller (?) ticket to front paste-down; faint age toning and soiling not affecting the illustrations.
¶ Hiroshige is widely considered the last of the grand master printers of the Ukiyo-e tradition. In 1832-4 (Tenpō 3–4) he produced a series of ten illustrations of fish, with accompanying culinary herbs and vegetables, together with poems published by Eijudo. A decade later a series of a further ten illustrations were produced by Yamasho. The illustrations were then reproduced commercially bearing publisher and censor stamps. Together the two untitled series are known as "Large Fish" or "Shoal of Fishes" or "Every Variety of Fish".
The illustrations here are a selection from both series: Carp ( Koi), swimming amongst reeds, circa 1840-42 (Tenpō 11-13), poem by Makuzu; Abalone, (Awabi or Tokobushi) Needlefish (Sayori), and Peach Blossoms, circa 1832-3 (Tenpō 3–4), poems by Kumogaki Fujimi and Miwagaki Mimiki; Black Sea Bream (Kurodai), Small Sea Bream (Kodai) Asparagus shoots and Japanese Peppercorns (Sansho), circa 1832-33 (Tenpō 3–4), poems by Tomigaki Uchiyasu and Echigo Kawabukuro Kaôan hôshi (Kaôan hôshi from Kawabukuro in Echigo Province); Lobster (Ise ebi) and Prawn (Ama ebi), circa 1832–33 (Tenpō 3–4), poems by Shimotsuke Edozaki Ryokujuen Motoari (Ryokujuen Motoari from Edozaki in Shimotsuke Province) and Nen'an Machikado; Flying fish (Tobiuo), White Croaker (Ishimochi, Guchi or Shiroguchi) and a lily, circa 1840-42 (Tenpō 11-13), poem by Toshigaki Maharu; Gurnard (Kanagashira), Right-Eye Flounder (Konoa-garei) and Bamboo Grass (Sasa), circa 1832–33 (Tenpō 3–4), poems by Shimotsuke Edozaki Ryokujuen Motoari (Ryokujuen Motoari from Edozaki in Shimotsuke Province) and Jakuyakutei Chikuson; and, Japanese Sea Perch (Suzuki) and Red Bream (Kaneme-tai), and shiso leaves, circa 1840-42 (Tenpō 11-13), poem by Atsugaki.
To the front paste down is a calligraphic inscription 御うつくしみの波 [Waves of Imperial Beauty] by Maresuke Nogi, (1859-1912), a Meiji era career military man in the Japanese Imperial Army. A general in the first Sino-Japanese War (1894-5), the invasion of Taiwan and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-5), he was feted as a national hero for his role in the capture of Port Arthur. He was also a man of letters and a renowned Kanshi poet, a form of Han Chinese poetry popular amongst the Japanese elite during his life. Several of his poems were very popular during the early decades of the Twentieth century. In 1912, Nogi and his wife committed ritual suicide by seppuku shortly after the death of Emperor Meiji in accordance with the samurai practice of following one's master into death. At the time, Nogi became a public symbol of loyalty and sacrifice and there are several Shinto shrines to his memory in Tokyo and Kyoto.
Daikokuya was a multi-generational publisher of ukiyo-e prints, illustrations and later illustrated books from 1764-1931 in Edo/Tokyo. Artists published during the nineteenth century include Utagawa Hiroshige. Daikokuya were quite successful during the late Meji era publishing many illustrated works relating to the Russo-Japanese War; perhaps explaining the inscription by Nogi.
Rare. A lovely copy.
§ OCLC records no holdings. NIJL holds one copy.
Item #10476
Price: $4,000.00 AUD