Hishikawa MORONOBU (c 1618–1694)

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A superb and important book by an unrivalled illustrator in depicting street life and views of the Yoshiwara and the theatre. One volume complete, Tsukinami no asobi, “Months in the Eastern [ Edo] Capital.” One page preface and 19 double page illustrations plus one page colophon. Shows the inhabitants of Edo engaged in various activities from pleasure to devotion as well as street markets and daimyo processions. Published by Urokogata-ya of Odenba-cho, Edo, Genroku 4, 4th month, 1691. Beautiful contemporary hand colouring. Ex collection Walter von Scheven, 1878 – 1950, and purchased by him from Karl W. Hiersemann, Leipzig, in 1924. Extremely rare. Listed by Mrs Brown in Block Printing and Book Illustration in Japan, p. 48.

Original salmon pink covers with embossed pattern and original title slip. Minor soil and marks but otherwise extremely good condition for a book of this period.

Status: Sold