[BIRDS & FLOWERS] Imao KEINEN — Keinen Kacho^ Gafu

1891. [BIRDS & FLOWERS] Imao KEINEN. KEINEN KACHO GAFU. Kyoto: Tanaka Jihei. Meiji 24-25 [1891-2]. 4 vols. each approx. 35.5 x 25.1 cm. Stringbound, fukuro-toji, Japanese style. Vol.1 [Spring] has 31 color woodblock prints of birds and flowers, of which 7 are huge double page prints. Vol.2 [Summer] has 32 plates, of which 8 are double page. Vol.3 [Autumn] has 38 prints, of which 4 are double page. Vol.4 [Winter] has 34 plates, of which 4 are double page, and one is a four page spread. These original Tanaka Jihei issues (which preceded the Unsodo versions) have become quite scarce, complete sets even more so, and sets with the western number captioning (the true first printing) almost impossible to find. The covers are original, with the titles directly printed there and the gold flecking. The summer issue has a single worm track in the margins, else it and the other volumes are impeccable, the printing excellent, the colors subtle and lovely. The nicest set we have ever handled. All in a clasped chitsu case which itself is quite rough. 4 vols. complete as issued by Tanaka Jihei, very unusual thus. .