www.RareOrientalBooks.com Author: KONO, Bairei.

KONO, Bairei.

BAIREI HYAKUCHO GAFU ZOKU HEN: Bairei's Album of One Hundred Birds. Supplemental [or 2nd] Series.
This title was issued as a 6 volume set when complete; ie
the First Series is composed of volumes 1-3, published in
1881. The Supplement series volumes 1-3, published in 1884.
The volumes are NOT counted in the usual Western way, but in
the Japanese way, which is 3 volumes of the First Series + 3
Supplemental volumes with the "Zoku Hen" or supplement char-
acter on the title slips, being the major difference of the
title slips on the Supplemental series. They are all bound
with identical covers and red title slips, per above. The
contents follow a similar technique and color scheme, all
using Sumi black, white, grey, and an orangeish hue. All of
the prints occupy two pages, and has a single cinnabar
Hanko or "chop" seal with the artist's name stamped on them.
*
Each composition was executed with the utmost care and skill
using birds, flowers, branches, trees, rocks and water as
a background. Placing the birds and flowers in a natural
setting, was one of Bairei's great contributions to art of
this period. To Bairei, showing birds and flowers in natural
settings was the highest form of praise for the beauty of
nature.
*
REFERENCES:
*
Edward F. Strange stated in 1897 about this title: "...these
designs are perhaps the best illustrations of bird life ever
cut on wood. Each is printed from six or seven [wood]
blocks ..."
*
C.H. Mitchell: THE ILLUSTRATED BOOKS OF THE NANGA, MARUYAMA,
SHIJO AND OTHER RELATED SCHOOLS OF JAPAN: A Bibliography,
p.216. Here Mitchell gives us an exact collation and reading
of the seals, dates and proofed names et al.
*
H. Bartlett & H. Shohara: JAPANESE BOTANY DURING THE PERIOD
OF WOOD-BLOCK PRINTING p.529, exhibit 95, figure 87,
which shows Heron and Sacred Lotus.
*
Also cited in:
-British Museum 1904, 16115.b.3, 2 vols.
-Happer [I], 686 Ref.
-Brown, p.199
-Strange 1897, pp.104-105.
*
L . Roberts: DICTIONARY OF JAPANESE ARTISTS, p.8, a summary
"Kono Bairei [1844-95], was a Japanese-style painter who
lived in Kyoto. He was the first pupil of the Maruyama
painter, Nakajima Raisho, later to become a Shijo artist
under Shiokawa Bunrin and later a follower of the Nanga
school. His style is full of strong brush strokes, tradit-
ional charm and sensitivity. He was especially adept at
drawing and illustrating birds and flowers in the Kacho
style..."
*
This present work is an animated look at birds in all modes
of flight, movement, and at rest. Incorporated into this
are lovely plants and flowering trees and fruits where the
birds are seen in a natural setting. A great study resource
for natural bird-life in Japan, with proper names in Japan-
ese noted in the drawing of most examples for identification
purposes. An exceptional and nicely color-illustrated early
work.

Images displayed may not be the actual copy in stock for sale at any given time; if you want to see the exact image of the book or edition in stock, please request this by email and an image will be returned to you by attachment.
!! WARNING: The above description is COPYRIGHT protected material under United States & International Copyright & Intellectual property laws. Unauthorized copying or use of ANY PART is a felony and will be PROSECUTED TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW !!! The entire text and contents of this description is Copyright protected 2002-2005 Rare Oriental Book Co.
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BAIREI HYAKUCHO GAFU: BAIREI'S ALBUM OF ONE HUNDRED BIRDS. First Series.
A MAJOR EARLY WOODBLOCK PRINTED BIRD & FLOWER BOOK
This title was issued as a 6 volume set when complete; ie
the First Series is composed of volumes 1-3, published in
1881. The Supplement series volumes 1-3, published in 1884.
The volumes are NOT counted in the usual Western way, but in
the Japanese way, which is 3 volumes of the First Series + 3
Supplemental volumes with the "Zoku Hen" or supplement char-
acter on the title slips, being the major difference of the
title slips on the Supplemental series. They are all bound
with identical covers and red title slips, per above. The
contents follow a similar technique and color scheme, all
using Sumi black, white, grey, and an orangeish hue. All of
the prints occupy two pages, and has a single cinnabar
Hanko or "chop" seal with the artist's name stamped on them.
*
Each composition was executed with the utmost care and skill
using birds, flowers, branches, trees, rocks and water as
a background. Placing the birds and flowers in a natural
setting, was one of Bairei's great contributions to art of
this period. To Bairei, showing birds and flowers in natural
settings was the highest form of praise for the beauty of
nature.
*
REFERENCES:
*
Edward F. Strange stated in 1897 about this title: "...these
designs are perhaps the best illustrations of bird life ever
cut on wood. Each is printed from six or seven [wood]
blocks ..."
*
C.H. Mitchell: THE ILLUSTRATED BOOKS OF THE NANGA, MARUYAMA,
SHIJO AND OTHER RELATED SCHOOLS OF JAPAN: A Bibliography,
p.216. Here Mitchell gives us an exact collation and reading
of the seals, dates and proofed names et al.
*
H. Bartlett & H. Shohara: JAPANESE BOTANY DURING THE PERIOD
OF WOOD-BLOCK PRINTING p.529, exhibit 95, figure 87, which
shows Heron and Sacred Lotus.
*
Also cited in:
-British Museum 1904, 16115.b.3, 2 vols.
-Happer [I], 686 Ref.
-Brown, p.199
-Strange 1897, pp.104-105.
*
L . Roberts: DICTIONARY OF JAPANESE ARTISTS, p.8, a summary
"Kono Bairei [1844-95], was a Japanese-style painter who
lived in Kyoto. He was the first pupil of the Maruyama
painter, Nakajima Raisho, later to become a Shijo artist
under Shiokawa Bunrin and later a follower of the Nanga
school. His style is full of strong brush strokes, tradit-
ional charm and sensitivity. He was especially adept at
drawing and illustrating birds and flowers in the Kacho
style..."
*
This present work is an animated look at birds in all modes
of flight, movement, and at rest. Incorporated into this
are lovely plants and flowering trees and fruits where the
birds are seen in a natural setting. A great study resource
for natural bird-life in Japan, with proper names in Japan-
ese noted in the drawing of most examples for identification
purposes. An exceptional and nicely color-illustrated early
work.

Images displayed may not be the actual copy in stock for sale at any given time; if you want to see the exact image of the book or edition in stock, please request this by email and an image will be returned to you by attachment.
!! WARNING: The above description is COPYRIGHT protected material under United States & International Copyright & Intellectual property laws. Unauthorized copying or use of ANY PART is a felony and will be PROSECUTED TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW !!! The entire text and contents of this description is Copyright protected 2002-2005 Rare Oriental Book Co.
Click for available editions

BAIREI HYAKUCHO GAFU: together with BAIREI HYAKUCHO GAFU ZOKU HEN: BAIREI'S ALBUM OF 100 BIRDS & SUPPLEMENTAL SERIES, SIX VOLUMES IN ALL.
A MARVELOUS WOODBLOCK PRINTED JAPANESE BIRDS & FLOWER SET
This title was issued as a 6 volume set when complete; ie
the First Series is composed of volumes 1-3, published in
1881. The Supplement series volumes 1-3, published in 1884.
The volumes are NOT counted in the usual Western way, but in
the Japanese way, which is 3 volumes of the First Series + 3
Supplemental volumes with the "Zoku Hen" or supplement char-
acter on the title slips, being the major difference of the
title slips on the Supplemental series. They are all bound
with identical covers and red title slips, per above. The
contents follow a similar technique and color scheme, all
using Sumi black, white, grey, and an orangeish hue. All of
the prints occupy two pages, and has a single cinnabar
Hanko or "chop" seal with the artist's name stamped on them.
*
Each composition was executed with the utmost care and skill
using birds, flowers, branches, trees, rocks and water as
a background. Placing the birds and flowers in a natural
setting, was one of Bairei's great contributions to art of
this period. To Bairei, showing birds and flowers in natural
settings was the highest form of praise for the beauty of
nature.
*
REFERENCES:
*
Edward F. Strange stated in 1897 about this title: "...these
designs are perhaps the best illustrations of bird life ever
cut on wood. Each is printed from six or seven [wood]
blocks ..."
*
C.H. Mitchell: THE ILLUSTRATED BOOKS OF THE NANGA, MARUYAMA,
SHIJO AND OTHER RELATED SCHOOLS OF JAPAN: A Bibliography,
p.216. Here Mitchell gives us an exact collation and reading
of the seals, dates and proofed names et al.
*
H. Bartlett & H. Shohara: JAPANESE BOTANY DURING THE PERIOD
OF WOOD-BLOCK PRINTING p.529, exhibit 95, figure 87, which
shows Heron and Sacred Lotus.
*
Also cited in:
-British Museum 1904, 16115.b.3, 2 vols.
-Happer [I], 686 Ref.
-Brown, p.199
-Strange 1897, pp.104-105.
*
L . Roberts: DICTIONARY OF JAPANESE ARTISTS, p.8, a summary
"Kono Bairei [1844-95], was a Japanese-style painter who
lived in Kyoto. He was the first pupil of the Maruyama
painter, Nakajima Raisho, later to become a Shijo artist
under Shiokawa Bunrin and later a follower of the Nanga
school. His style is full of strong brush strokes, tradit-
ional charm and sensitivity. He was especially adept at
drawing and illustrating birds and flowers in the Kacho
style..."
*
This present work is an animated look at birds in all modes
of flight, movement, and at rest. Incorporated into this
are lovely plants and flowering trees and fruits where the
birds are seen in a natural setting. A great study resource
for natural bird-life in Japan, with proper names in Japan-
ese noted in the drawing of most examples for identification
purposes. An exceptional and nicely color-illustrated early
work.
Click for available editions

BAIREI KACHO GAFU 1883: BAIREI'S ALBUM OF FLOWER & BIRD PICTURES.
A FABULOUS OBAN COLOR ALBUM OF BIRDS & FLOWERS
A famous work, mostly dismembered and sold as separate
prints. Seldom found intact. This exceptionally fine work is
documented in H. Bartlett & H. Shohara: JAPANESE BOTANY DUR-
ING THE PERIOD OF WOOD-BLOCK PRINTING, Ann Arbor 1961, on
p.530, exhibit 96, #88 and illustrates the last print in our
album. This superb print shows a pair of birds known in
Japan as Mamedori or Mamemawashi, as they are shown with
beautiful passion flowers [passiflor coerulea] Tokeisoo or
'clock flowers' because from sunrise to sunset the flowers
turn clockwise. The Mamedori lives in the woods.When brought
up from nesting it can be taught tricks. "This work is cons-
dered one of the most beautiful of the later fully colored
e-hon. Its extremely decorative is in marked contrast with
the same artist's earlier collection of Chrysanthemum pict-
ures, in which the tints vary only from black to gray & from
deep orange to very pale orange. "This stunningly beautiful
work has been appreciated by generations of bird & flower
lovers, ergo why it has not survived intact. Single prints
abound on the walls of admirers and are sold throughout the
print world. Two additional albums were issued 16 years lat-
er in 1899. The exceedingly fine carving and print product-
ion techniques render this a prime example of the high skill
& concerted efforts of the artist, block carver & printer of
the Meiji era. It was during this high-water mark period of
Japanese woodblock printing that this was done, making this
one of the most wonderful combinations of book and print art
to date. Scans of this item can be sent by e-mail. R A R E !
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BAIREI KACHO GAFU 1899: BAIREI'S ALBUM OF FLOWER & BIRD PICTURES.
A MOST BEAUTIFUL BIRD & FLOWER WOODBLOCK PRINT BOOK
Very good copy of the FIRST EDITION of Barrei's most famous
color bird & flower book. This work was issued in 4 volumes,
one each for the seasons. Each book consists of twenty-five
different birds and flowers in bloom. The birds are depicted
in a natural setting purched on the flowers, or adjacent,
with true colors of all presented. Superby executed, Bairei
is known as Japan's John J. Audubon. His skill & prowess at
both bird & flower painting is legendary. He eventually rec-
ored most of the bird and flower varities of Japan in his
works. See H. Bartlett: JAPANESE BOTANY DURING THE PERIOD OF
WOOD-BLOCK PRINTING p.530, exhibit 96 & fig. 88 et al, for a
good description of all of his books, and wherein he states:
"This work [this title] is considered one of the most beaut-
iful of the later fully colored E-hon. Its extremely decora-
tive style is in marked contrast with the same artist's ear-
lier collection of chrysantahemum pictures, in which the
tints vary only from black to gray and from deep o range to
very pale orange. This earlier workhad shown a reversion to
the then long out-moded technique of Sumi-e and Tan-e of the
period preceding printing in a full range of colors. It is
strikingly differernt from the fully colored but unadorned
flower books of the same painter which are more of the nat-
ture of botanical illustrations, lacking all background or
other accessory embellishment." Bairei's birds have a live
& natural look, and are set within the actual places where
he drew & painted them from nature. The "naturalistic" look
of his paintings and color prints have been appreciated by
collectors for a hundred years, the majority of his books
have been cut apart and individual prints framed. Finding
complete volumes now has become most difficult. Bairei's red
cinnabar seal is found on each of the prints. Kono Bairei
1844-1895 followed the tradition of the Nanga School and was
the pupil of Maruyama style painter Nakajima Raisho among
others,he even studied Abbot Gennyo of the Higashi Hongan-ji
temple. He toured Japan widely and drew every flower & bird
he found. He was the founder of the Kyoto Prefectural School
of Painting in 1878. Later he was commissioned to paint
murals for the his master's temple at Hongan-ji. Many famous
students were among his progeny: Takeuchi Seiho, Hobun, Gyo-
kudo. His work has always had traditional Japanese charm and
sensitivity, he is strongly collected by the world's great
museums & art galleries. See L. Roberts: DICTIONARY OF JAP-
ANESE ARTISTS, p.8 for more details. C. Mitchell THE ILLUS-
TRATED BOOKS OF THE NANGA, MARUYAMA, SHIJO & OTHER RELATED
SCHOOLS OF JAPAN also give much tribute to him & his works,
see p.14 for a list of his works, p.216 for book entries and
bibliographical details.
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CHIGUSA NO HANA: A THOUSAND KINDS OF FLOWERS.
A MOST STUNNING COLOR WOODBLOCK PRINTED BOTANICAL
A superb botanical and pharmacopoeia japonica, includes flo-
wers and vegetables as well as plants of commerce. Volumes I
& II have lists of the illustrated plants in Japanese, as
well as in alphabetic or Romaji letters. Vols. III & IV in
Katakana only. All volumes give the flower name in Chinese
[Kanji] characters. The flowers are done in natural, vivid
color, with close-up detail of each flower. Bairei [1844-95]
was a celebrated painter of birds and flowers who studied
under the Maruyama painter Nakajima Raisho, and later under
the Shijo artists Shiokawa Bunrin. He was commissioned by
the Imperial family to paint murals in the famous Buddhist
temple Higashi Hongan-ji in Kyoto, where he was also a lead-
er in the art society. See H. Bartlett: JAPANESE BOTANY DUR-
ING THE PERIOD OF WOOD-BLOCK PRINTING, p. 219 + fig. 76a for
an example of an illustration. Also listed in K. Toda: THE
RYERSON COLLECTION OF JAPANESE & CHINESE ILLUSTRATED BOOKS,
p.427 for full bibliographic citation. Cited in H. Kerlen
CATALOGUE OF PRE-MEIJI JAPANESE BOOKS...p.52, item 124. C.H.
Mitchell p.234. Also L. Brown p.200 for details. This kind
of dictionary of Japanese flowers was a standard reference
illustrating flowers in full blossom or plants in fruit. The
examples are depicted with in a very natural state, showing
all parts, including stems, leaves, buds, flowers and fruit.
This kind of botanical or herbal dictionary was useful by
physicians as well as lay people to identify plants for med-
icinal use. An important pharmacopoeia Japonica and stunning
botanical reference. Printed in natural pastels, finely exe-
cuted and composed by the master of bird and flowers. SCARCE
Color scans can be sent by email.

Images displayed may not be the actual copy in stock for sale at any given time; if you want to see the exact image of the book or edition in stock, please request this by email and an image will be returned to you by attachment.
!! WARNING: The above description is COPYRIGHT protected material under United States & International Copyright & Intellectual property laws. Unauthorized copying or use of ANY PART is a felony and will be PROSECUTED TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW !!! The entire text and contents of this description is Copyright protected 2002-2005 Rare Oriental Book Co.
Click for available editions

KOGYO ZUKUSHI: SKETCHES FOR ARTISANS.
DESIGNS FOR SWORD FURNITURE, TEXTILES, CERAMICS, CARVINGS &c
An entirely enjoyable, light-hearted work, showing a profus-
ion of good illustrations, woodblock printed, pastel colors.
This kind of handbook was used by artisans who designed and
carved Netsuke, made swords and sword furniture, textiles,
lacquer, ceramics, Kimono & all other arts which required a
design & good composition. This work was done by the cele-
brated bird & flower painter & woodblock book & print artist
who worked in the last part of the 19th century. This set
illustrates a profusion of animal, heroes, comic characters,
horses, genre pictures, deities, Gods, mythological charact-
ers, flowers, Samurai & military related horses & equipment,
bugs, temples, holy places, religious objects, sages, toys,
landscapes, Buddhist ritualistic articles, rivers, Kendo
matches, Shinto items, archery practice, ambush of a Ronin,
tigers, monkeys & so much more ! This exact edition is cited
in Mitchell, p.371,with a good biography & list of his works
listed on 14. Kono Bairei 1844-1895 was a Maruyama school
painter who studied under Nakajima Raisho & Shirokawa Bunrin
a Shijo painter, thus he studied both of these great schools
ergo the reason his works manifest such great control & pre-
cision, similar to Hokusai in his ability to tickle the vie-
wer. Bairei is widely collected by world institutions and is
well cited & illustrated in the usual reference books. Upon
request, we can scan & send images by E-mail. R A R E
Click for available editions

NIHON NO TSURU: A JAPANESE WHITE CRANE. A Celebratory New Years Woodblock Color Print.
LOVELY COLOR PRINT OF THE TSURU, SYMBOL OF GOOD LUCK
Corners with minute wear. This shows a red-head white Japan-
ese crane flying before a red half-sun. It is symbolistic of
good luck, and often the symbol used during New Years cele-
brations, and on wedding Kimono for centuries in Japan. Done
by Bairei [1844-95], a Japa ne se-style painter who lived in
Kyoto. He was the first pupil of the Maruyama painter, Naka-
jima Raisho, later to become a Shijo artist under Shiokawa
Bunrin and later a follower of the Nanga school. His style
is full of strong brush strokes, traditional charm & sensit-
ivity. He was especially adept at drawing and illustrating
birds and flowers in the Kacho style. He was the artist and
author to several other illustrated books and prints, some
of which can also be found in our inventory. This lovely
print is sealed by a cinnabar Hanko or chop, reading: "BAI
ZAN SHO" meaning: "The very highly praised Bai" [short for
Bairei]. For more detail on Kono, see L. Roberts: DICTIONARY
OF JAPANESE ARTISTS, p.8 for more details. His other works
on birds & flowers are listed in H. Bartlett: JAPANESE BOT-
ANY DURING THE PERIOD OF WOOD-BLOCK PRINTING. A color scan
can be sent by email.

Images displayed may not be the actual copy in stock for sale at any given time; if you want to see the exact image of the book or edition in stock, please request this by email and an image will be returned to you by attachment.
!! WARNING: The above description is COPYRIGHT protected material under United States & International Copyright & Intellectual property laws. Unauthorized copying or use of ANY PART is a felony and will be PROSECUTED TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW !!! The entire text and contents of this description is Copyright protected 2002-2005 Rare Oriental Book Co.
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SOKA HYAKUSHU: A HUNDRED KINDS OF COLOR FLOWERS.
A MAGNIFICIENT JAPANESE BOTANICAL REFERENCE
A most brilliant and wonderful color botanical. The work was
edited by Kono Seiko his heir posthumously. Bairei [1844-95]
was a Kyoto artist & pupil of the Maruyama painter Nakajima
Raisho, later studied under the Shijo master Shiokawa Bunrin
and followed the Nanga school tradition under Nakanishi Ko-
eki & others. His work exhibits the charm and sensitivity of
strong strokes in a traditional style. The work illustrates
100 kinds of flowers in full color on full pages, each prop-
rly named. A majority are flowers in color, including fruit,
orchids, wild grasses, and other flowering plants. A lovely
and charming work, boldly printed. This is the first part of
two series on the subject. The second was a slightly differ-
ent title, but a continuation of the first part. Each part
was issued separately, and is a complete monograph, consecu-
tive dates. The Japanese are truly experts at recording bot-
anical subject true to nature. This work utilizes pastel
colors, reflecting the exact colors of nature. Bartlett has
stated "Kono Bairei was one of the last of the artists who
illustrated plants for wood-block printing and whose work is
considered by critics as important." See H. Bartlett: JAPAN-
ESE BOTANY DURING THE PERIOD OF WOOD-BLOCK PRINTING p.237-8,
exhibit 97. Biographical background on Bairei is cited in L.
Roberts: DICTIONARY OF JAPANESE ARTISTS, p.8. Also listed in
C.H. Mitchell: THE ILLUSTRATED BOOKS OF THE NANGA, MARUYAMA,
SHIJO...artist information on p.14; p.381 for the book cita-
tion. Also listed in K. Toda: THE RYERSON COLLECTION OF JAP-
ANESE & CHINESE ILLUSTRATED BOOKS...addenda p.2, Group IV.
A most famous and celebrated botanical. Color scans can be
sent by email.

Images displayed may not be the actual copy in stock for sale at any given time; if you want to see the exact image of the book or edition in stock, please request this by email and an image will be returned to you by attachment.
!! WARNING: The above description is COPYRIGHT protected material under United States & International Copyright & Intellectual property laws. Unauthorized copying or use of ANY PART is a felony and will be PROSECUTED TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW !!! The entire text and contents of this description is Copyright protected 2002-2005 Rare Oriental Book Co.
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TWO CRANES. A Color Woodblock Print.
This print shows a pair of cranes standing in water, with
colored flowers & a climbing plant in the foreground. Execu-
ted in his distinctive style Bairei was the master of birds
of all kinds and did many prints & albums showing them in a
wide variety of settings. Ready for display & framing. Upon
request, we can send a color scanned image by E-mail.

Images displayed may not be the actual copy in stock for sale at any given time; if you want to see the exact image of the book or edition in stock, please request this by email and an image will be returned to you by attachment.
!! WARNING: The above description is COPYRIGHT protected material under United States & International Copyright & Intellectual property laws. Unauthorized copying or use of ANY PART is a felony and will be PROSECUTED TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW !!! The entire text and contents of this description is Copyright protected 2002-2005 Rare Oriental Book Co.
Click for available editions