Title: Ehon Tsūhōshi (The Book of Treasures), 1780. Volumes 2-3, 5 Part 2; Bound With; Gatentsuukou (A Study of the Painting Book), 1727. An Unusual Compilation of Illustrated Painting Books, with Dozens of Beautiful Woodblock Illustrations, and in a Brocade Repaired Binding
Author: Ooka Shinsai; Tachibana Morikuni
Publisher: Shibukawa Seiemon, Ōsaka
Condition: Good
A Mid Edo Period, late 18th century edition of Tachibana Morikuni’s Ehon Tsūhōshi, also known as The Book of Treasures. This volume compiles the second, third, and lower fifth books of 10, featuring dozens of heavily detailed and beautiful woodblock illustrations, most being full page examples. There are landscapes, scenes of battle, and numerous historic figures and deities.
Also additionally bound in is the work Gatentsuukou, also known as A Study of the Painting Book, being the first volume of 10. This appears to be from the Kyoho 12 imprint, being published in 1727, and is also full of woodblock illustrations, with scenes of the Heian Period, landscapes, court life, and more.
Due to the increased wear and worm tracks to the binding, there have been several repairs. But what is most curious about these repairs is that a likely 19th century owner took the liberty of using some beautiful Edo Period brocade fabrics to repair the covers, making for a rather extravagant Frankenstein of a binding.
The title pages to all works are lacking.
Four books bound into one brocade decorated volume in octavo (19 x 15 cm), 19; 21; 18; 31 leaves
This volume is in good shape, with wear and worm tracks to the binding. There are worm tracks throughout, mostly to the margins.