Money-Making Trees

CHŌSEISHA SHUJIN 長生舎主人.

Kinsei jufu betsuroku 金生樹譜別錄 [Book of Money-Making Trees, Explained, with Additions].

Numerous full-page woodcuts, including shades of gray (usuzumi 薄墨). 30.5; 24; 21.5 folding leaves. Three vols. 8vo, orig. beige patterned semi-stiff wrappers, orig. title-slips (a little frayed), new stitching. Edo, Kyoto, & Osaka: Suharaya Sasuke 須原屋佐助, ca. 1833.

First edition. “Kinseiju Fu is a gardening guidebook of potted plants, bonsais, and more, published in the late Edo era. Through words and illustrations this book explains points of caution on how to take care of plants…

“‘Kinseiju’ means ‘Money Making Trees’ and is about omoto, adonis, tachibana, cycad, nandin, whisk fern and dendrobiums. At that time, growing plants was popular and these plants were priced so unreasonably high, the book therefore got its name. It seems the author explains with confidence how to grow these expensive plants…

“The author, master Choseisha, took [his name] from another name of dendrobium, choseiso, meaning plants of longevity. His real name is Nobumitsu Kurihara and he is known as a scholar of historical investigation as well as classical Japanese studies. He was known as a samurai, but also an avid gardener. He published this book and others, so we understand his love for plants…

“There are three books in the series. Complete with illustrations, the first introduces pots and how to make stands and shelves on which to place them. It also explains greenhouses and refrigeration rooms. The second explains famous trees around the nation. The third book explains grafting, pruning, replanting the cutting, how to care for and fertilize plants. It contains illustrations of gardening tools and soil suitable for cultivation. The book is so precise and practical it is surprising that people had such high gardening skills in the late Edo era nearly 200 years ago.”–Iwase Bunko Library website.

Very good set. Some repaired worming throughout, touching images.

Price: $2,950.00

Item ID: 11360