The Various Birds: Fifty-six Varieties. The Color of the Bird, Shape of the Body.
(Japan: c. mid-nineteenth century). Small quarto. (27)ff. A handmade book of delicate Japanese brush paintings of common birds, ranging from sparrows and songbirds to ducks and other fowl. The paintings are executed in a style similar to sumi-e. They are predominantly monochromatic with subtle gradations of black ink, accented with washes of brown, yellow, and red. The illustrations stand alone on most of the pages, but a few, including one of a majestic pheasant, are accompanied by descriptions in Japanese. Each page is comprised of a double sheet measuring 10 3/16 by 14 1/4 inches, and most of the paintings stretch across the page spread. The only clue to the painter's identity is a note in Japanese on the front wrapper, which explains that the illustrations were "painted by the next-door neighbor -- during the weekdays." The note also indicates that the book was owned by Goshodo, a bookseller. It seems likely that the paintings were given as a neighborly gift and made into a book. Some light wear and soiling to covers, faint soiling to a few pages, else a very fine collection of paintings. Item #23000
Price: $3,250.00