{"product_id":"1736-1741-edo-woodblock-by-tachibana-morikuni-japanese-ducks-waterfowl-a4-framed","title":"1736–1741 Edo Woodblock by Tachibana Morikuni – Japanese Ducks \u0026 Waterfowl – A4 Framed","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGood antique condition for an original woodblock illustration approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e285–290 years old\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The original two-page spread has been preserved and is presented in a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003enew A4 frame measuring approximately 30 × 21 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, ready for display.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDating to the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGenbun era (1736–1741)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e of the Edo period, this original hand-carved and hand-printed woodblock illustration is by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTachibana Morikuni (橘守国, 1679–1748)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, an important Osaka artist and illustrator renowned for his extensively illustrated reference books.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTitled \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWaterfowl and Ducks — 浮鳥鴨之類 (Ukidori Kamo no Tagui)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the two-page composition presents a detailed study of Japanese aquatic birds, depicting several varieties swimming and resting upon the water. One of the birds is specifically identified within the illustration as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e真鴨 (magamo)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the Japanese mallard.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe image was printed entirely from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehand-carved woodblocks in sumi ink on traditional Japanese paper\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Morikuni combines carefully observed feather patterns and recognizable characteristics with the elegant, simplified outlines typical of eighteenth-century Japanese book illustration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMorikuni's illustrated books were more than decorative works. They functioned as important \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003evisual reference and instructional books for artists and craftsmen\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, providing models of birds, animals, plants, landscapes, human figures, and traditional subjects that could be studied and adapted for painting and the decorative arts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrinted during the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTokugawa shogunate approximately 285–290 years ago\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this surviving illustration provides a fascinating example of both early Edo natural-history imagery and the sophisticated woodblock book culture of eighteenth-century Japan.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Echoes of Edo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49381585912067,"sku":null,"price":5000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0811\/5965\/1587\/files\/oiuytredfgjhewsyytyytyutuyguh.png?v=1786072361","url":"https:\/\/echoesofedo.com\/products\/1736-1741-edo-woodblock-by-tachibana-morikuni-japanese-ducks-waterfowl-a4-framed","provider":"Echoes of Edo","version":"1.0","type":"link"}