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A highly talented artist, he is considered – with Nanrei – to be the finest exponent of the Maruyama-Shijo style in Edo at this time. Of samurai birth, he initially studied under Nangaku. See elsewhere on this site for two original paintings by Chinnen. One volume complete Sonan gafu, “Album of Sonan” ( a go of Chinnen ). Published 1834. 6 pp. preface signed and dated Tenpo 3 ( 1832 ); 1p. contents; 26 sheets illustrations in colour. Last page colophon with date Tenpo, year of the Dragon 9/1832 and annotation in sumi with seal: Renkado Ichiyo zo, “From the collection of Ichiyo.” Inside back cover date Tenpo 5 1/1834 and publishers Osakaya Gembei and Kobayashi Shimbei of Edo.

Yellow covers with cross-hatched embossing and original title slip. Some slight soil throughout, otherwise a nice copy of Chinnen’s masterpiece.

Status: Sold

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One volume complete: Sonan gafu, “A Book of Drawings by Sonan.” One of the best known Shijo books. Much admired by Jack Hillier who used the double page illustration of Fuji and pines for the covers to his 2 vol. book: The Art of the Japanese Book. Original crimped yellow covers with green medallion design. Original title slip. Preface 6 pp. dated Tempo 3 ( 1832 ); 1 p. table of contents followed by 25 double-page colour illustrations. Last page dated Tempo 3 ( 1832 ), signed Chinnen with seal Onishi Chinnen. Inside back cover: colophon, dated Tempo 5 ( 1834 ). Publishers Kobayashi Shimbei and Osakaya Gembei, Edo. Provenance: Ex collections H.M.Kaempfer and Theodore Duret ( seals on last page ). Covers somewhat worn and some slight thumbing, marks and off-setting throughout. Generally good condition.

Status: Sold