Japanese Album of Woodblocks Mostly of Abstract Designs, with Some Stylized Zoological and Human Subjects as well

Wraps, string ties. Very Good. Circa 1915. 24 by 16.5 cm. 25 leaves (50 pp.) doubled over, in the Japanese style, of which 37 pages are color plates, and nine pages are of calligraphy or text. Of the illustrations, three are two page spreads. Subject-wise, we count 21 of the illustration pages devoted to abstract designs, ten with animal studies, some of which are also abstract to some degree, whether in the stylization of the animal or in the background, three are predominantly of human subjects, and three are a hybrid. These categories are somewhat abitrary, admittedly. Generally the colors are bright and vivid, and many of the abstract designs, the dragons, and ornate birds are extraordinarily striking. The animal studies, besides dragons, include a monkey and fish. Many of the designs would have had a general applicability but would certainly have been possible kimono styles. Soiling on the wrap covers.