Original and rare, Taisho Period Kuniyoshi Japanese Woodblock Print Picture Book (Ehon)
Artist:  KUNIYOSHI  UTAGAWA (1797-1861)
Date:  Taisho Period, 9th year, 1920
Publisher:  YOSHIKAWA Kobunkan
Title:  Seichu Gishiden (Stories of true loyalty of the faithful samurai) (these are actual woodblock print picture re-strikes from Kuniyoshi's famous Edo Period series; these are not lithographs.)

Description: 100% Japanese genuine & authentic woodblock print picture book from the Taisho Period.  Very good colors and impressions.  Thick woodblock print picture book, LOADED with great Samurai Ronin woodblock print artwork!  49 Ronin Samurai pictures in all! (14 of the 49 warriors are shown above).  The remaining pages are kanji text pages detailing the adjoining samurai pictured and the context of the scene portrayed.  Condition is decent with some wear, soiling, and foxing (hence the lower price).  Please see and judge from photos.
Size of woodblock print picture book (closed):  24.3 cm x 16.6 cm x 1.8 cm thick
 
This is a fantastic woodblock print picture book full of Kuniyoshi's superb samurai artwork & his classic pictorial depiction of the 47 Ronin; many of which are highly entertaining action scenes.  It would make a great addition to any samurai aficionado's library, to the fan of Japanese history, or any Kuniyoshi artist devotee!