Hyakunin Isshu Karuta

US$2,385.00

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[百人一首歌留多
(Hyakunin Isshu Karuta, “Cards of One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets”)]

[Keisai, Eisen (illustrated by)].

[Tōkyō]: Shiba Senichi, [ca. 1850-60s].

A complete set of two hundred uncut hyakunin isshu cards (one hundred poem cards and one hundred poet cards) in eight leaves. The publisher and printer was Shiba Senichi (芝泉市), also known as Izumiya Ichibē (和泉屋市兵衛), a jihon donya (seller and publisher of local books) founded in 1697. The publishing family produced works by Utamarō, Hiroshige, Kuniyoshi, Kyōsai, Toyokuni, and many other famous artists. Around the 1840s, it produced a set of hyakunin isshu card-sheets illustrated by acclaimed ukiyo-e artist Keisai Eisen (1791-1848). The illustrations of the poets in this 1850-60s set are identical to those on the 1840s cards attributed to Eisen. The poems are also in a similar layout to the earlier set but have been printed using newly carved woodblocks. Illustrations of landscapes printed in colour in the background of the 1840s poem cards have also been replaced with a pale pink design, probably to save time and money. It therefore seems likely that this set was produced a little later than the more detailed 1840s printing, and that the publisher used the same woodblocks for the poet cards, which featured illustrations by Eisen, but different blocks for the poem cards.

Eight colour woodblock-printed leaves, complete. Light browning. Occasional small marks. Green pigment somewhat roughly printed on poet cards. Overall near fine to fine. Each print measures approx. 37.3 x 25 cm. Text in Japanese.

Hyakunin Isshu Karuta
Price: $2,385.00 (USD)