Keika Hyakugiku

Rare complete copy of Keika Hasegawa's Keika Hyakugiku (100 chrysanthemums by Keika)

(The British Museum only has Volumes 1 and 2, the Smithsonian only 2 and 3.)

75 colour woodblock prints (all published), including eight double-page, from this seminal book on the cultivation of chrysanthemums.

Volumes 1 and 2 published in July 1893 and Volume 3 published in December 1903.

Chrysanthemum cultivation came to Japan from China in the 8th century and the flower was later adopted as the Emperor's crest. Over the centuries, extraordinary hybrids of elegant shapes and vibrant colours were produced, many of which are recorded in this book.

Little is known about the artist Keika Hasegawa. (The name Keika is usually a woman's name.) Active in the final years of the 19th century, he also produced books of patterns for kimono and washi paper such as Biko Zukan (Art Book) 1894, and Kyoka Zuan (Patterns of Kyoto), 1897.

Original wraps are grubby and worn, interior slightly browned and edges worn. A few prints with faint stains. 1cm wormhole to two plates and cigarette burn to the bottom of five plates in Volume 2.

Housed in a green cloth-bound case with clasps.

Very rare to find complete in any condition.