Author: Asai Chu.
Title: [Tosei Fuzoku Gojuban Utaawase].
Description: Tokyo, Yoshikawa Hanschichi 1907 (Meiji 40). Two volumes 25x18cm publisher's wrapper with title labels; 52 full page colour woodcuts by Asai. A couple of bits of stitching broken, still an outstanding pair: fresh, crisp, beautifully printed. ¶ First edition of this captivating collection of portraits of couples, if only momentarily. Each of these illustrations accompanies a poem on modern customs; the book's title calls this a poetry competition. Asai, elder and teacher of the school of western painting, fortunately never abandoned the tradition of satirical illustration - though there is more good natured but pointed humour here than harsh satire. This was published just before his death.

Keywords: graphic art illustration humour c20th Japan modernism literature poetry meiji