KITAO MASANOBU (1761-1816)

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Kitao Masanobu (1761-1816)
Yoshiwara keisei shin bijin awase jihitsu kagami [A Mirror Comparing the Calligraphy of New and Beautiful Yoshiwara Courtesans], an exceptionally rare complete set of seven double-page portraits of famous tayu, accompanied by their shinzo and kamuro, with poems above in the handwriting of the courtesans, two of the designs with cartouches with the title Seiro meikun jihitsu shu [Autographs of Famous Courtesans of the Green Houses], signed Kitao Rissai Masanobu ga and sealed Soseki, with album covers, two pages of preface and colophon, very good impressions, very good colours and condition
Orihon: 37.2 x 49cm.

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Lot Essay

Masanobu's famous 'tour de force', produced at the early age of twenty-two, described by James Michener as probably the most beautiful book of its kind ever issued.

This is seemingly the only recorded version of the second state in its entirety.

For another complete album, partly illustrated see The Walter Amstutz Collection, Sotheby's, Tokyo 1991, Lot 107.

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