Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)

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A fine example of the first edition, the “Falcon’s Feather”, of volume one of the Fugaku hyakkei, the “Hundred Views of Mount Fuji.” ( So-called because the title slip is printed in blue with a decorative design of a falcon’s feather – missing on later editions. ) The first volume was published in 3/1834 by the Edo firm of Nishimura Sukezo together with the Nagoya publisher Eirakuya Toshiro and the Edo firms of Kadomaruya Jinsuke and Nishimuraya Yohachi using Hokusai’s favourite engraver, Egawa, amongst others. One of the great and most influential illustrated books. Not just with other Japanese artists, but on European artists of the last century. Full of exquisite compositions, best appreciated in the first or early editions. Due to their popularity, the volumes were reprinted many times. It is also a target for cutting up and separately mounting the pages. Colophon signed: “the old man mad about drawing, formerly Hokusai Iitsu aged 75.”

Original covers and title slip. One small wormhole on a few pages. Otherwise extremely good condition with only minimal soil.

Status: Sold