Hatta Koshu
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Hatta Koshu
Koshu Gafu (A Book of drawings by Koshu), 1812
3061-BK
10 1/4 x 7 1/8 in. (26 x 18 cm)
The "Gafu" exists in two versions, one-volume and two-volume editions. The was first issued in 1812 and there were later issues in 1814 and 1824. Owen E. Holloway (Graphic Art of Japan/The Classical School 1957) declares that the issue of 1824 is found both with and without color: “This is a splendid book and I would give it very high marks in the collection. Certainly it has color beautifully used and I cannot imagine it without. There is a succession of wonderfully arranged double-page illustrations of plant and landscape, animals and people, always with plenty of white space and consciousness of composition. Notable are the illustration of a wisteria, fishing nets hanging out against the sea and the sunset sky, an old fellow reading as he rests against his broom (or grass?): a pumpkin with a grasshopper creeping up it, and plum blossom.†Jack Hillier has a good deal to say about Koshu and of the "Koshu Gafu" he writes: "This is a perfect exposition of his quite personal style and shows his competence in handling widely varied subject matter". Mentioning in particular the fishing net print he says "...but the color printing in this case is so vaporous and subtle that it defies reproduction." Original embossed patterned blue covers, title label. C.H. Mitchell, The Illustrated Books of the Nanga, Maruyama, Shijo and Other Related Schools of Japan, 1972, page 378.
Price Upon Request