Author: [DRAWING TEXTBOOK] ASAI CHU^, artist
Title: Chu^Gaku Shu^Gajo
Description: 1901. [DRAWING TEXTBOOK] ASAI CHU^, artist. CHU^GAKU SHU^GAJO 7-kan Jo^ To^kyo^, Yoshikawa Ko^bunkan, Meiji 34 [1901]. 4th printing. Oblong 8vo. wrappers. 18.2 x 26.3 cm. PRACTICE ALBUM FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL, Volume Seven, Part One. Containing 5 sheets of color woodcut reproducing watercolor sketches from part one of volume seven and one odd sheet from part two is laid in. By Asai Chu^ and meant to serve as a guide for middle school students in their drawing classes. The Japanese Education Ministry, the Monbusho^, had commissioned Asai Chu^, one of the foremost artists and educators of the day to create a series of such handbooks for schools. This brief notice is not the place to expand but it should be noted that this series represents an important milestone in the see-saw cultural battle being waged between artistic traditionalists and "modern" Western-style artists. The fact that the Asai Chu^ strove to familiarize students with the use of Western watercolor rather than the traditional brush is significant in that context. Asai, himself, actually, though an accomplished Western-style oil painter who had studied in France was also a skilled traditional painter and a top-rank graphic designer, as well. It appears he believed in giving students all the tools, all the media, available for their expression. His textbook series are rightly famous though almost never found, being fragile to begin with and meant to be used by students. This volume is in very good condition - the pages are loose. It should also be noted that Yoshikawa Ko^bunkan was a famous house, capable of great skill in woodblock printing projects. Complete in aof itself as a peret of the series and including an extra plate. .

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