586. KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI (1760 - 1849). "HOKUSAI MANGA", VOL. 5, MEIJI PERIOD, 1878.

Lot description

Woodcut engraving on rice paper. Japanese yotsume toji binding.
 
This publication is part of fifteen volumes known as ‘Hokusai Manga’, the present one being volume number 5. The series initially comprised ten volumes, published between 1814 and 1819. The first edition of the fifth volume was published in 1816. The popularity of the series led the publishers to add five more volumes in 1878. Altogether, the entire collection contains some 4,000 woodcut drawings on a variety of subjects ranging from historical characters to everyday customs and manners depicting Japan of the time, fauna, flora, grotesque characters, architectural elements, etc.
 
After the success of the first volume, the following ones were published simultaneously in Nagoya and Edo (present-day Tokyo until 1868). Hokusai himself as well as five disciples and followers took part in the process of preparing the volumes in both Nagoya and Edo.[2] The present volume number 5, in particular, was published by Hokusai himself.
 
This volume number 5 focuses on temple architecture, temple ceremonies, contemplative scholars, Heian period ladies, nobles, samurai lords, deities and Oni demons typical of Japanese folklore. On the other hand, in this volume, we can also find a view of Mount Fuji and a storm scene at sea. This graphic compilation was intended to serve as an instruction manual and models for young artists and craftsmen, manuals known as "e-dehon". [1]
 
Present condition of the lot:
It has two white paint stains on the cover and losses. On the last page there are two galleries and the paper is weakened on the first and last pages.
Some of the engravings have slight rust, moisture and foxing.
There is a restoration to the index, which is attached to the flyleaf.
 
22.7 x 15.8 cm.
 
NOTES:
1.The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Transmitting the Spirit, Revealing the Form of Things, Volume 1 to 15 of Hokusai Sketchbooks (Denshin kaishu: Hokusai manga, shohen-jugohen).". https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/78791
2.STEINER, E. [Evgeny]. (2014) "Endlessly variegated pictures: a pictorial encyclopedia of old japanese life (an introduction to Hokusai Manga's full edition with commentaries". National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE). Russia. p. 10. https://www.hse.ru/data/2014/04/28/1322671198/49HUM2014.pdf
 
REFERENCE LITERATURE:
"Catalogue raisonné of Katsushika Hokusai": https://www.hokusai-katsushika.org/manga.html
"Differences between editions of Hokusai Manga": http://mywoodprints.free.fr/manga/manga_diff.html