Title: Toshisen Ehon (A Selection of Tang Poetry and Illustrated Books), 1836. 25 of 35 Volumes. Mixed Edo Period Set, With Over 600 Pages of Woodblock Illustrations
Author: Takai Ranzan; Illustrated Kitao Shigemasa, Komatsubara Suikei
Publisher: Kobayashi Shinbei
Condition: Very Good
A Late Edo Period, 19th century edition of Ranzan’s Toshisen Ehon, otherwise known as a Selection of Tang Poetry and Illustrated Books. Published as a series of 7 books in 35 volumes, the first book was initially published in 1788 and reprinted in 1805, up to the final book of five volumes in 1836. This contains only 25 of 35 volumes and seems to be a mixed set of editions. Sadly, but unsurprisingly, the two sets of five volumes lacking would be the volumes heavily illustrated by Katsushika Hokusai.
The work is beautifully illustrated throughout by the ukiyo-e artists Kitao Shigemasa and Komatsubara Suikei, with woodblock illustrations to nearly every page, most being connected, and quite a few double page spreads. Altogether, there are 603 detailed woodblock illustrations, being faithful interpretations of early Chinese art and Southern School landscapes, featuring various landscapes, cityscapes, warriors, animals, and more.
25 volumes in octavo (22.7 x 16 cm)
These volumes are in very good shape, with some rubbing and wear to the covers. Two of the volumes from one book have worm tracks, affecting some of the text and illustrations. One volume has worming to the outer margins. There is some wear to a few of the volume pages, and very light, scattered staining to a handful of leaves.