Item from the Mokuhankan Flea Market

Selected Insects (set of 15)

Size: 51.0cm by 40.0cm (20.08 in by 15.75 in) | Enlargement | Shipping Code: [XL] ?

Designer: Kitagawa Utamaro

Era: Post-war | Currency: $ / £ / €

Price: ¥ 140,000$ 1005.00£ 740.00€ 870.00

  

Description: This set of fifteen woodblock prints depicts scenes combining plants, pairs of insects, and two kyōka poems in each design.

This set edition is a post-war reproduction published by the Ukiyo-e Hanga Kankō-kai Company and is based on the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures or The Insect Book (Ehon Mushi Erami), originally published in 1788 and illustrated by Kitagawa Utamaro.

The original publication was a kyōka book—a collection of humorous or satirical waka poetry—comprising fifteen illustrations accompanied by thirty poems composed by Edo-period kyōka poets. Utamaro, best known as a master of bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women), here turned his attention to the natural world, creating exquisitely observed depictions of insects that complement the literary content.

The set bends poetry, natural history, and refined woodblock illustration : The title Mushi Erami may be translated as “Selection of Insects.” It refers to the practice of mushi-awase (insect-matching contests), outdoor gatherings in which insects were compared and admired, often alongside the composition and judging of insect-themed poetry. The term erami carries the same meaning as erabi (“selection” or “choice”). The book records the names of thirty contemporary kyōka poets, including the compiler and selector Yadoya no Meshimori.

This set includes the following prints:
1. Paper Wasp and Hairy Caterpillar
2. Katydid and Centipede
3. Mole Cricket and Earwig
4. Butterfly and Dragonfly
5. Horsefly and Green Caterpillar
6. Tree Cricket and Firefly
7. Cone-headed Grasshopper and Praying Mantis
8. Spider and Evening Cicada on a Corn
9. Red Dragonfly and Locust
10. Snake and Green Lizard
11. Bagworm and Horned Scarab Beetle
12. Land Snail and Giant Katydid
13. Grasshopper and Cicada
14. Earthworm and Cricket
15. Frog and Gold Beetle

The print size of each piece is displayed.

A few of the mats are falling apart.

Browse thumbnail pages of various selections from the catalogue ...

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