Nikuhitsu Manga KENKOKU NISENGOHYAKUNEN-SHI ZU-E

19. [MANGA ALBUM] Okamoto Ippei, Nakamura Fusetsu, Maekawa Sempan, etc.. Nikuhitsu Manga KENKOKU NISENGOHYAKUNEN-SHI ZU-E [MANGA SKETCHES OF THE 2500 YEARS SINCE THE FOUNDING OF THE NATION]. Tôkyô, Chuô Bijutsu Kyôkai. A large album of 50 paintings done by a wonderful group of manga and fine artists of the period. In the tradition of the double scroll Manga Emaki TÔKAIDÔ GOJȖSAN-TSUGI and the Anniversary album commemorating the anniversary of the Meiji restoration. The paintings are 30.2 x 43.2 cm. All enclosed in the original handbrushed folding album, with a hand-brushed table of contents identifying the titles and artists, all as issued by Chuô Bijutsu Kyôkai. In a clasped chitsu case. With the wonderful humor and irreverence of manga which belies its solemn subject. Sempan, for one, was known to have declared he couldn't abide two things, drinking and the Royal Family - though I am sure he kept quiet about the latter in the 1930s. With some foxing in latter part of the album else In very good condition overall. A remarkable work of some scarcity. (Inventory #: 91252)