Yamato eyoshu [trans.: Collection of Traditional Japanese-style Wood Carving Patterns].
Numerous woodcuts in the text, mostly full-page. Four vols. Large 8vo, orig. blue wrappers (some mostly marginal worming) bound in orihon style (accordion), block-printed title labels on each upper cover. Tokyo: Suharaya Mohe, 1763.
First edition of this important and handsomely illustrated work on Japanese-style wood-carved motifs and patterns which stem from the “Tachikawa [or Tatekawa] Ryu” school of design, decoration, and building techniques. Tachikawa (active 1763-71), a master carpenter who lived in Tokyo, focused on the taisha-zukuri (or oyashiro-zukuri), which is the oldest Shinto shrine style.
The handsome woodcuts depict a series of small motifs and larger designs for... More