Onchi K?shir? ?????, et al. — Hakubutsu-Fu ???

1950. Onchi K?shir? ?????, et al. Hakubutsu-Fu ???. Tokyo. Showa 35 [1950]. Small, oblong western-style book, printed, paper-covered boards with a leather spine 11.2 x 14.5cm. Number 44 of 200 [of 250] copies, signed and sealed by the editor, Onchi K?shir? ????? (1891-1955). This "Natural History Sketchbook" represents the first creative effort of the Ichimokukai ???, First Thursday Club, or, as the pun in Japanese implies, Best Prints Club, the print group around Onchi. Though designed during the early years of the Pacific War, it wasn't actually printed until 1949-50, in a small, limited edition. There are five color woodcuts Sosaku Hanga prints by each of the five artists involved: Onchi created the animal prints, Yamaguchi Gen ??? (1896 - 1976) did shells, Sekino Jun’ichiro ????? (1914-1988) - insects, Kat? Tar? ???? - trees and Sugihara Masami ???? - flowers; 25 prints in all. Plus, there is a printed shita-e ?? (preparatory drawing) style design on the Contents page, and the Title page and covers are printed as well. In near perfect condition in the original glassine in the original box with a printed paper label. This is an extremely importatn and handsome work from Onchi's school. .