Beschreibung:

CHINESE PAINTING MANUAL Hasshu Gafu (八種画譜). (Bazhong Huapu, 八種畫譜, Chinese). [Eight kinds of painting manual]. Kyoto and Edo, 1672 (Kanbun 12, year of the rat) FIRST JAPANESE EDITION, 8 volumes, folio (317 x 223mm.), 424 full-page woodcut illustrations, original patterned stitched paper wrappers, printed paper labels, housed in two blue silk chemises, a few repaired wormholes, chemises and wrappers rubbed with occasional slight loss A FINE COPY OF AN EXTREMELY RARE WORK, of which we have been able to locate only 5 complete copies in the West, and no copy offered at auction in the past 40 years. This is the first Japanese edition of the original Chinese edition Bazhong Huapu, printed between 1620-1628. The original Ming edition of the book is a great rarity both in China and in the Western world. "The last decades of the Ming Dynasty witnessed the publication of a number of important works illustrating engravings of landscapes and other subjects. These books were designated to meet the desire of the public in order to acquire artistic taste, knowledge and sensibility, a prerequisite of elite status" (Lukacs). Title and subject of each volume:Tōshi Gogon (Tangshi Wuyan). Penta-syllabic Tang poems.Tōshi Shichigon (Tangshi Qiyan). Hepta-syllabic Tang poems.Tōshi Rokugon (Tangshi Liuyan). Hexa-syllabic Tang poems.Bai Chiku Ran Giku (Mei Zhu Lan Ju). Plums, bamboo, orchids and chrysanthemums.Mokuhon Kachō (Muben Huaniao). Flowers and birds.Sōhon Kashi (Caoben Huashi). Flowers and birds.Kokon Gafu (Gujin Huapu). Old and contemporary paintings. Meikō Senpu (Minggong Shanpu). Fan paintings. LITERATURE:Lukacs, Dr G. and L.H. Luo. Hasshu Gafu. The Japanese edition of Bazhong Huapu, an important Chinese painting manual. Wayenborgh, 2013 (a copy of this modern analysis of Hasshu Gafu is included with this lot) PROVENANCE:Tayasu family, seal stamp. The Tayasu family was closely related to that of the Tokugawa shōguns; Kika Shooku, seal stamp; Donnan, seal stamp; Kokuichidō Tosho In, seal stamp; unidentified seal stampCondition ReportCondition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate. We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE.