Kōshō Shimizu æ¸-æ°´å-¬ç„¦ — (Gachå) Senka Hakuså (画帖) 阡花é™Oe草

1978. (gachō) Senka Hakusō (画帖) 阡花é™Oe草 Kōshō Shimizu æ¸-æ°´å-¬ç„¦ Shōwa 53 [1978] Osaka: Riichi リーチ 12.4 x 10.4 cm small hardcover with a Western binding, opens Japanese style. Front and back white covers are decorated with multicolor art and the front has the title printed in gold. Binding has the title printed in black. Artist Shimizu Kōshō æ¸-æ°´å-¬ç„¦(1911-1999), born in Hyogo prefecture, was a monk of the Kegon sect of Buddhism. He became the chief priest of the sect at Tōdaiji Temple in Nara, and oversaw the Shōwa period repair of the Great Buddha. He is remembered today for his witty and natural paintings and calligraphic works, but mostly for his humorous 'dorobotoke' (泥仏, mud Buddha) pottery. This particular book contains 21 of Kōshō's illustrations of his 'dorobotoke' creations. One of a limited edition of 1000 copies, signed by Kōshō on the front flyleaf in dramatic calligraphy with Japanese text throughout. Title pages are followed by an introduction signed by Dorohōshi 泥法師 [mud buddhist priest]. The book is unpaginated and in sections, each comprised of 4 pages,with one illustration per section. The title of the work is in print on the top right page and printed in calligraphy on the left facing page and next is the black and white artwork printed on one page with a printed explanation on the other. Comes with the original folding case made of cloth-covered boards, silk title slip (lightly foxed) with leather ties intact. Lacking original card box. Original paper-covered boards, one or two small marks to extremities. Signed fly is lightly foxed, but otherwise text and illustrations are in excellent condition. A little book of humorous Buddha by a former head priest of Todaiji Temple. .