NIKKO SANSHI: PICTORIAL DESCRIPTION OF NIKKO, MOUNTAINS, FESTIVALS, ARCHITECTURE

Edo 1837, Shozando. Blue stitched stiff wrs., very good, 5 vol. set, 82 double-page + 5 full-page woodcut plates,in bit worn brown coth Chitsu, contents exceptionally clean, very bright & solid copy, 18.2 x 25.3 cm. RARE FIRST EDITION . *** **** . . . A STUNNING EDO PERIOD GUIDE TO NIKKO MOUNTAINS . . . DESCRIPTION TO NIKKO, FESTIVITIES, ARCHITECTURE . . . HISTORY AND THE SHRINE TO THE SHOGUNS . . PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED IN COLOR AND & BLACK & WHITE . * THE AUTHOR: UEDA Mooshin [c.1776-1830]: UEDA was a celebrated author of the Edo period, he flourised during the 1820's. . *** THE ARTIST: WATANABE Kazan [1793-1841]. Kazan was an eminent celebrated artist, he was the most famous student of the most famous artist of the time, TANI Buncho, who taught him techniques of Chinese painting style. . Kazan was the son of a Samurai, he served Lord Miyake of the Tawara clan. Due to his support of the opening Japan to the West, the Bakufu took offense and he was arrested, condemned to death, due to political pressures the sentence was commuted. Regardless humiliated, he committed suicide in typical Samurai ritual of Harakiri in protest to the Shogunate. . Kazan was a also a noted poet, scholar, patriot, national hero and a celebrated painter. His works are highly prized as well as collected and coveted by collectors and world institions.. . He was a member of the Shoshiki, a group that met to study Dutch learning [Rangaku] and he was known as a Rangaku-sha [student of Dutch learning]. He promoted Western knowledge and learning in Japan. . Mitchell lists other contributing artists, including Hokusai. . *** THE SUBJECT & TEXTS: This exceptionally fascinating work covers the densely forested area of Nikko, the natural scenic beauty of the mountains and various shrines, including those where the mausoleum of the Shoguns. . Holy objects, shrines, bridges, waterfalls, sacred mountains, holy places, Shinto shrines, pagodas, celebrations, festivals, deities, pilgrims, holy steele and historical facts. Kazan felt the great need to illustrate 13 full-color pages showing the flora and avifauna of the area, regardless of the very costly printing process. . Elaboration to the to the local-made copper religious objects, made from the copper extracted from the local mines, smelted and cast into Buddhist icon, bells, lanterns. With profuse graphic and verbal descriptions. . Including the uniquely Japanese "Bird's eye view" of the typography of Nikko, continuous landscape of Mtr. Nikko and environs, map of Nikko, , east entrance to Nikko, misty view of Hatsuishimachi, the Shodo-shonin at Jabashi, view of Omihashi [bridge], autumn moon at Daiyagawa, view of Hongu Gongen, Gohombo [shrine] et al. See Mitchell pp.436-437 for a full listing of all illustrations. . *** CONDITION: The binding: The work is bound in the original bright, gold-flecked blue stiff paper covers, with stitched spines. There is a very minor bit of the usual scuffing and edge wear. The title slips are exceptionally bright and clean, no issues. . CONTENTS: The contents are very clean and solid, no worming or stains. Printed on very white, bright Washi paper, with excellent impression and registry, including a rare pink title page as issued. . All in all, a very stunningly beautiful work, in very good, clean and solid conditon, seldom found, and scarcely found in above average condition. . *** THE CHITSU CASE: The set is contained in a contemporary brown-silk cloth covered Washi paper folding case. With the usual rubbing to the hinges, folds and exterior edges, with a bone clasp, and Sumi-brushed title. The Chitsu has performed its duty to protect the books from the hungry predators. . *** REFERENCE: . KERLEN, H.: CATALOGUE OF PRE-MEIJI JAPANESE BOOKS & MAPS IN PUBLIC COLLECTIONS IN THE NETHERLANDS, p.823, # 1950 * MITCHELL, C.H. et al.: THE ILLUSTRATED BOOKS OF THE NANGA, MARUYAMA, SHIJO AND OTHER RELATED SCHOOLS OF JAPAN: A Bibliography, pp.436-437 * D. Chibbett et al.: A DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF THE PRE-1868 JAPANESE BOOKS., p.60, #159. * BROWN, Louise N.: BLOCK PRINTING AND BOOK ILLUSTRATION IN JAPAN, p.183 cites a 6 vol.set 1836. * P. Laurence: DICTIONARY OF JAPANESE ARTISTS, p.74 * F. Brinkley: A HISTORY OF THE JAPANESE PEOPLE, pp. 583, 604 * E. Papinot: HISTORICAL & GEOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF JAPAN, pp.448,736 for a history and outline of Nikko and its shrines; p.736 Kazan. * KSM [chishi] 6-3 * KRAFT: Vol.1, no.577; vol.2, no.389; vol.3, no.516 * British Museum [1904], 16114.B.16 [1837 Editio] * NOT IN: Toda. . *** .