EHON KUSA NISHIKI 絵本草錦, 2 vols.

SEKKÔSAI 雪坑斎.... [AKA Kitao 北尾 Tatsunobu 辰宣.... also read Tokinobu]. EHON KUSA NISHIKI 絵本草錦, 2 vols.. . 26.4 x 18.6 cm. Meiwa Gan-nen [1764] A fascinating ehon.... Sekkôsai was an artist of great skill. He was amazingly adaptable.... not only black and white classic works like this one , but also such masterpieces as the color-printed SAISHIKI GASEN..... one of the most beautiful books of its day. He also illustrated the eccentric comic toba-ehon... TOBA-E FUDE BYOUSHI.... a remarkble breadth of ability, all carried off with confidence. Lest we neglect the work at hand.... women and flowers are often compared in literature..... kusa are plants and flowers. Nishiki is brocade, referring not just to garments but to the complex beauty of reality..... beautiful women, sure, but also fish and animals and demi-gods, historical figures, legends..... all woven together into this visual brocade. The printing is good, the covers worn and one page has a bit of errant brushwork probably by a child.... centuries old mischief. But overall a nice copy of this wonderful book by a wonderful artist. (Inventory #: 91256)