CHINZAN GAFU 椿山画譜: AN ALBUM OF CHINZAN'S PAINTINGS

Tokyo and Kyoto, 1911 (Meji 44), Yoshikawa Kobunkan (吉川弘文館). 2 vol. set; 26 pages each. 19 color woodblock prints and 5 black woodblock prints.

Flyleafs a little dampstained (see photos).

Accordion binding (16.3 x 25 cm); yellow, original boards with original title slip; covers a little dusty, back cover of volume 1 with a small defect in paper (see photos); Woodblock prints: two with damp stained margin (see photos), most of the others in close to mint condition; All defects, not mentioned ones included, were considered for pricing.

Tsubaki Chinzan (1801, Edo - 6 August 1854, Edo) was a Japanese painter in the nanga style. He was born in the Koishikawa district of Edo. He was the son of a Samurai who was a retainer of the Shogunate and served as head of the Spear Corps. His father died when he was seven and, following the hereditary system, he was trained in martial arts and horsemanship. He was personally more inclined to an artistic career, however and, to help supplement his meager income, began to study painting. His first lessons came from Tani Bunchō and, lastly, at the age of seventeen, with Watanabe Kazan; becoming his favorite student.

In 1839, when Kazan was caught up in the "Bansha no goku" and imprisoned, Tsubaki was part of the team that rescued him. After Kazan committed seppuku in 1841, he helped raise his son,