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Complete four-volume set of Japanese "kacho-e" woodblock prints in fold-out albums titled in sumi ink on a buff slip against pale blue silk covers Nanajuni-ko Meika Gajo (“Album of Paintings of Fine Flowers of the Seventy-two Seasons”) by Kose Shoseki (1843-1919). Each of the four vertical 9 7/8” x 7 ¼” albums contains 18 double-page illustrations of floral subjects sealed either Kose Shoseki or Kanaoka. Volume 1 (titled “Spring”) is dated Meiji 23 (1890), 8th month. At the front of the volume are double-sheet title, calligraphy, and table of contents pages. Volume 2 (titled “Summer”) also contains two double-sheet calligraphic preface pages which are dated in cycle years to 1891. Volume 3 (titled “Autumn”) contains title, preface, and table of contents pages (each a double-sheet) and is dated Meiji 24 (1891). Volume 4 (titled “Winter”) contains double-sheet title and preface pages dated in cycle years to 1891. Also included in the back of Volume 4 is a double-page calligraphic closing note and a colophon, dated Meiji 23 (1890), and including the name of the Tokyo publisher Kose Zennosuke. The illustrations have excellent color and are in generally very clean overall condition. The paper shows signs of age toning, primarily on the back side rather than the image side. Several of the sheets have become detached at the edges. There is minor soiling and image transference on a few of the pages. Additional photographs are available upon request.
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