A Complete Set of 5 Woodblock Printed Books by Kono Bairei 1883. 

7 1/8 x 4 3/4 ins. (18.2 x 12.1 cms) Books of largely random sketches and designs were a staple in Japanese book production throughout the 19th.century, probably following on the enormous success of Hokusai's Manga volumes. This enchanting set of books were designed by Kono Bairei (1844-1895), an important artist who was in his lifetime mainly known as a fine painter but who was also responsible for a number of block printed books of which the volumes Bairei Hyakucho Gafu (Bairei's 100 Birds) is the best known in Europe, in fact we have come across examples with Victorian school prize labels! In the present set, Kogyo Zukushi (Designs for Artisans) each of the 5 volumes has 20 sheets of design (40 pages) except for Vol. 5 which has 15 (30 pages), making a total of 190 pages of illustrations, many of which are several to a page. We have tried to show a representative selection in our photographs. 

The condition is very good, the only deficiency is a missing red paper title page on vol. 4 (see photos). Each volume except 5 has a red stamp on the front cover and on the first preface sheet. The stamp is that of Evison, Stutchbury & Co. of Kobe, who were merchants in the latter part of the 19th. century. It seems likely that they were the owners rather than the retailers. The impressions are uniformly very good.   

There is a similar set on American websites priced at $3906.00! now there's optimism for you!

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