Mori Shunkei 森春渓

The first edition of the book: 1-vol. on Chinese-style paper with mica highlights on some sheets;illustrated book with 25 unnumbered sheets: 12 illustrations printed in color + 11 sheets of calligraphy; preface signed Shohitsu and dated 1820.7; engraver Tani Seiko; seal Edo; sheet 24 signed and dated Shigehisa Mori (1915-1957) (Chicago) (sold American Art Galleries, New York, 1926) Shunkei, spring/summer 1820 + name of engraver and printer Tobu Tani Seiko, sealed hori (engraver); this page is not included in the 3 later editions of the book nor in the 1905 reprint. The reprint has the title Churui gafu (Insect album) and the 1905 facsimile the title Shunkei gafu (per Hillier) with plates bearing the artist's name and without sheets of calligraphy. See Xeroxed refs. in cat. file.This sheet is sheet 1 from one of the later editions of the original book confirmed in correspondence between Roger Keyes and Deborah Del Gais in cat. file.