Non défini - Sans titre - 1880

Rare small illustrated Japanese book – Mamebon – Polychrome woodblock print – Meiji era, late 19th century
Description

Rare small illustrated Japanese book, printed in color woodblock, dating probably to the late 19th century, Meiji era (1868–1912).

With its exceptionally small format of about 12 × 9 cm when closed, this work belongs to the Japanese tradition of small illustrated books in the mamebon format.

The work is printed on traditional Japanese paper, using the technique of Japanese xylography, with a drawing in black ink accented with colors such as red, pink, blue, green and brown.

The pages present a remarkable repertoire of figures and scenes from traditional Japanese life.

Notably, one finds:
- characters in traditional costumes;
- women, men and children;
- artisans and workers;
- different professional activities;
- scenes of daily life;
- traveling characters and travelers;
- boats;
- horses and other animals;
- birds;
- fish;
- plants and landscapes;
- numerous postures and gestures.

The characters are depicted in a wide variety of attitudes, often with expressive or humorous character. The animals are also studied in different forms and positions.

Several pages are organized as true repertoires of figures, each character or animal accompanied by Japanese characters. Taken together, the work has the character of a small album of models and visual references, while preserving the spirit of popular illustrated Japanese books.

The final part also includes a page with a more developed Japanese text as well as a character busy writing or working on documents.

The front cover is especially attractive: it features two richly dressed characters in a highly elaborate polychrome composition on a decorative red background.

The back cover, in turquoise blue, is adorned with three circular motifs of emblematic type.

The book retains its traditional Japanese binding sewn on the side (fukuro-toji), with the red threads still visible.