Eric Chaim Kline, Bookseller - Old and Rare Books

名狂言歌舞伎木版画萃/ Kabuki: A Set of 6 Pictures with Stories. Series 1-3 (3 vols. complete) [18 WOODBLOCK PRINTS]

Ohashi, Gekko (大橋月皎); Kiyoomi Shinagawa (品川清臣, printer); Fumio Shiraishi (白石文雄, ed. and trans)

京都 (Kyoto): (京都版画院) Kyoto-Hanga-In Co. Ltd., 1954-1955. First edition. Hardcover. Quartos. Vol.1: 10-page text booklet + 6 plates. Vol.2: 8-page text booklet + 6 plates. Vol.3: 6-page text booklet + 6 plates. Multicolored illustrated paper-covered portfolios, with black lettering in English and Japanese. String ties.

Each portfolio contains six plates of beautifully-printed color woodblock prints by Gekko Ohashi, a noted and acclaimed painter of Kabuki. The complete three volume set contains a total of 18 woodblock plates, depicting scenes from some of the most famous and acclaimed Kabuki plays, which are lavishly printed in bold colors, some highlighted with metallic gold and silver hues. Each portfolio has a tissue guard to protect the plates. The series was published as a result of a massive increase of interest internationally in Kabuki, during the postwar period. Each portfolio also contains its accompanying text booklet in English and Japanese, as issued, discussing the history of Kabuki and the plays depicted, with b/w photographic reproductions.

The plates included in the collection represent the following plays:

Series 1:
- Shinjuu Ten no Amijima (心中天網島)/ The Love Suicides at Amijima, by Monzaemon Chikamatsu 近松門左衛門, - Shibaraku 暫 (one of the “18 Great Kabuki Plays, 歌舞伎十八番”), - Michiyuki Tabiji no Hanamuko 道行旅路の花婿 , - Kanjincho 勧進帳, by Namiki Gohei III (one of the “18 Great Kabuki Plays, 歌舞伎十八番”), - Meiboku Sendaihagi 伽羅先代萩, by Kamesuke Nagawa, - Sukeroku Yukari Edozakura 助六由縁江戸桜 (one of the “18 Great Kabuki Plays, 歌舞伎十八番”).

Series 2:
- Ibaraki 茨木 (Tsunayakata) by Mokuami Kawate - Meido no Hikyaku (冥途の飛脚) by Chikamatsu Monzaemon - Honcho Niju Shiko (本朝廿四孝) by Chikamatsu Hanji - Kotobuki Soga no Taimen (寿曽我対面) - Taikoki Judanme (太功記十段目) - Kagami Jishi by Ochi Fukuchi (one of the “18 Great Kabuki Plays, 鏡獅子).

Series 3:
- Yoshitsune Senbonzakura (義経千本桜) by Senryu Namiki - Benten Musume Otko Shiranami (弁天娘女男白浪) by Kawatake Mokuami - Keian Taiheiki (慶安太平記) by Kawatake Mokuami - Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami (菅原伝授手習鑑) - Suzugamori (鈴ヶ森) by Tsuruya Nanboku - Yowa Nasake Ukina no Yokogushi (与話情浮名横櫛) by Joko Segawa.

Portfolios with some light rubbing to extremities, and minor smudges to the covers. Light shipping to the tale of the spine of vol.1. Interiors of portfolios and all plates clean and vibrant. Some light creasing to interior flaps. Some of the tissue gaurds with age toning and/or closed tears. Booklets for vols. 1 and 3 with light dampstaining or minor foxing to the inteiror covers. Portfolios in very good- to very good, interiors and plates in near fine, booklets in very good to near fine condition overall. vg- to near fine. Item #7522

大橋月皎 (Gekko Ohashi) (b.1895) was an acclaimed Japanese painter of Kabuki scenes. Starting in 1925, he originally gained notice for his illustrations of “Bijinga (Paintings of beautiful women) 美人画" for newspapers and magazines. Later, his passion for Kabuki motivated him to paint the scenes from Kabuki performances and portraits of Kabuki actors. Over the years there have been numerous well received exhibitions of his work.

Price: $1,250.00