Kon Junzo ??? — Aomori-Ken Gafu ????? (??

Kon Junzo ???. Aomori-ken Gafu ????? (?). T?-? Nipp?sha ?????. Showa 8-9 ??8-9? [1933-1934]. 26.5 x 38.5cm sheets are contained in 12 brown envelopes 27.5 x 40cm that are printed with the title and number of the section, a decorative image of a map and a Table of Contents to the sheets within the envelope. Each section has eight sheets of artwork, with the exception of 11 and 12, which have ten each, as well as 2 sheets of yellow, cream or blue-gray paper with printed explanatory text about each image. Envelope 12 also has sheets with an essay by the author and editorial notes as well as a Table of Contents to the entire collection on pink paper. The explanatory text on each work is numbered to correlate with the number on each illustration. The illustrations are also titled and many are signed “J. Kon.” Japanese text throughout. Aomori Prefecture is a lovely, forested area that to this day reflects its name of “Aomori” ?? - “green woods.” The artist depicts Aomori-ken's nature, customs, people, events, shrines, temples, and other important natural and cultural sites and objects in 100 original illustrations using techniques such as lithography and copper plate. As such, it is a 1920s record of the Creative Print Movement (S?sakuhanga ????) with both historic and artistic importance that is a wonderful teaching tool. A native of Aomori Prefecture, artist, designer and printmaker Junzo Kon ??? (1893-1944) graduated from art school and joined the Pacific Art Institute (Taiheiy? Gakai Kenky?jo ????????), working there while exhibiting his work at national exhibitions. He later accepted the position of head of the art department of Sh?chiku Kamata Photo Studio (Sh?chiku Kamata Satsueijo ???????), which existed from 1920-1936, in the design department of Shiseido, and as a teacher at Aomori Prefecture Normal School (Aomori-ken Shihan Gakk? ???????). After retiring, he was commissioned by T?-? Nipp?sha ?????, which then published Aomori Gafu ????? [Aomori Prefecture Illustrations] every month from October 1938 until September 1945, after his death. Toning of some prints. Wear and tear to the edges of the thin, paper envelopes. The envelopes are housed in a box 41.5 x 31cm that has photocopied title pages on the cover with handwritten details and handwritten labels on the top and bottom flaps of the box, all in Japanese text. A complete set with remarkable historical accuracy and value. .