Catalogue of The Exhibition of Paintings of Hokusai the first exhibition of Hokusai works held in Japan
The exhibition was 'Held at the Japan Fine Art Association, Uyeno Park, Tokio from 13th to 30th January, 1900.' This copy signed by the author, Bunshichi Kobayashi, the well known art dealer, and given to his friend and collector, Frederick W. Gookin. According to WorldCat, no copies in institutions outside Japan except on microfiche. One copy at Nichibunken in Kyoto. Excessively rare and important Hokusai reference. Quite possibly more than a few of the Hokusai paintings described and/or photographed in the book were lost in the 1923 earthquake or WWII. Comprehensive catalogue with 223 items described and most in some detail. Fifty plates showing important works. Fascinating 16-page preface by Ernest Fenollosa. Interestingly, for some reason the catalogue itself wasn't published until 18 months after the exhibition was held and it seems very few were ever printed. Colour, woodblock printed frontispiece of Hokusai. Hard cover with brown boards. A reprint was published in Switzerland in 1973.
Tokyo. Bunshichi Kobayashi. 1901.
Colour frontispiece+16pp preface. 167[1]pp+50 b&w plates+colophon page. 26.9 x 18.5cm.
In very good condition. Covers starting to separate and are a bit worn with minor loss at top of spine. Corners a little bumped. Internally very good with almost no wear. nb32070018
