Hosoda EISHI (1756–1829) and Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760–1849)

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One volume complete Nishikizuri onna sanjurokkasen, “The Thirty-Six Women Poets in Brocade Prints” published by Eijudo Nishimuraya Yohachi and dated on last postscript Kansei 9 hinoto mi “Kansei 9 [ 1797 ] mid-Winter” and stating that the calligraphy was written by thirty-six young girls, none over the age of fifteen. Date of publication Spring 1801 ( Kansei 13 kanoto tori haru ). Two prefaces followed by a double-page frontispiece by Hokusai and thirty-six double-page prints with a poetess at left and a poem in shikishi at right decorated with colour patterns. Two postfaces with colophon giving artist as Hosoi Chobunsai, with seals Hosoi and Chobunsai. Rare complete and as Jack Hillier wrote in The Art of the Japanese Book, Sotheby’s, vol. 1, p. 454: “The other book with colour prints by Eishi is one of the major masterpieces of the colour-printer’s art.” Provenance: Ex Hayashi collection ( large and small seals ) and Edmond de Goncourt with an annotation by him at end of second preface where he states that he purchased it from Hayashi in 1888 for 200 francs ( and sold, lot 1499, in Goncourt sale, 10/3/1897, Hotel Drouot, Paris ). There is also a small oval seal with a capital “G” running through the book. This appears to be another collector as it does not tally with Goncourt’s seals.

Old brocade covers and title slip, probably not original. Very fine impressions and colour. Minor backed wormage on preface and colophon, otherwise very good condition.

Status: Sold