"This finely carved woodblock was used as one part of a triptych print depicting Kabuki actors originally created by Kunisada III. The carved image on the reverse is unrelated, and demonstrates the way in which such boards could be re-used for other compositions." -vendor

A complete two-volume set of 24 colour woodblock-printed bonkei illustrations published in the late Edo period. Bonkei (also known as senkeiban), miniature landscape- or garden-displays artfully arranged on small trays, evolved in Japan from Chinese penjing during the Kamakura period (1185–1333). Bonkei often feature miniature buildings and figurines, and are closely related to bonsai, bankei, and saikei.

Edo-period wood engravings. On double leaves; (fukurotoji) pouch binding. 6 volumes.

Table of Contents: All 7 parts include: pts. 1-2. Plants -- pt. 3. Trees -- pt. 4. Birds -- pt. 5. Animals -- pt. 6. Insects -- pt. 7. Fish.

"Many fine woodcuts (the first color-printed), of which 29 are double-page & 9 are single-page. 50 folding leaves."

A popular illustrated encyclopedia, the first of its kind in Japan.
[v.1] Preface and table of contents.
[v.2] pt.1. Astronomy -- pt.2. Geography -- pt.3. Residence -- pt.4. People -- pt.5. Body -- pt.6. Clothes -- pt.7. Treasure goods [Precious objects].
[v.3] pts. 8-10. Utensils.
[v.4] pt.11. Utensils -- pt.12. Livestock -- pt.13. Birds -- pt.14. Arowana [freshwater bony fish] -- pt.15. Insects.
[v.5] pt.16. Rice -- pt.17. Vegetables -- pt.18. Fruits -- pt.19. Trees and bamboo -- pt.20. Flowers.

Text is volume 498 of the "Sutra of Perfection of Wisdom", or "Mahaprajnaparamita sutra". In Japanese: "Daihannya haramitta kyo"