Tōkaidō Gojūsantsugi Hachiyama-zue (Pictures of the Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō as Potted Mountains)

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Tōkaidō Gojūsantsugi Hachiyama-zue ["Pictures of the Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō as Potted Mountains"] 

Kimura, Tōsen [produced by]; Nan'yūtei [Utagawa, Yoshishige] [illustrated by]. 

Tōto [Edo]: Yoshida Kinbē, Kaei Gannen [1848] [but probably a Meiji era printing]. 

This inventive work offers a tour along the Tōkaidō highway, stretching from Edo to Kyoto, in an unconventional format. In the two volumes, the artist Utagawa Yoshishige records miniature landscapes (bonkei or potted bonsai) created by Kimura Tōsen based on the famous views of the postal stations along the Tōkaidō. Each bonkei is captioned with the name of the location recreated, and most feature artistic references to Utagawa Hiroshige's famous Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō series of woodblock prints. While the colophon provides Kaei Gannen (1848) as the year of publication (the publication year of the first edition), this set was probably printed in the Meiji era. Despite the title, a total of 56 single-page colour woodblock-printed illustrations of bonkei are included. An engaging microcosm of past worlds, perfect for exhibition.

Two four-hole-bound (yotsumetoji) volumes, complete, on double leaves, traditional East Asian binding style (fukurotoji). Presumed non-original wrappers worn, stained, and scraped, inscription to upper of v.1. Original daisen title panels present. One binding string cut, textblock remaining tight. Sticker residue to upper margin of title page. A few minor creases and light foxing internally. Ex-ownership stamps to first leaf of each volume. Light ink stain to colophon. Small ex-ownership stamp to last text page. [3], 14; 15-28 [continuously paginated from first volume], [3] leaves. 24.3 x 16.7 cm.

Tōkaidō Gojūsantsugi Hachiyama-zue (Pictures of the Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō as Potted Mountains)
Price: $5,500.00 (USD)