DAI NIHON MEISHO ICHI RAN: A BIRD'S EYE PANORAMIC VIEW MAP OF GREATER JAPAN.

[Edo [1865], Kinrin Do. Blue stiff covers, accordion folded, very clean, bright example, without flaw, folds down to 12.2 x 18.3 cm., opens to a large 120.8 x 37.7 cm. published Keio 1st year = 1865. RARE FIRST & ONLY EDITION BRILLIANT EXAMPLE . *** **** *** . . HIROSHIGE'S STAR PUPIL AND SON-IN-LAW'S SUPERBLY . . . IMAGINATIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW MAP OF JAPAN . . . WITH NAMES OF CITIES & VILLAGES CITED . . . A MARVELOUS COLOR WOODBLOCK PRINTED MAP * UTAGAWA Hiroshige II, aka. Kisai Rissoh [1826-1869]: He was Ni-daime [2nd generation] Japanese designer of Ukiyo-e art. He inherited the name Hiroshige II following the death in 1858 of his master Hiroshige I, whose daughter he married. . In 1865 he moved from Edo to Yokohama after dissolving his marriage and began using the name Kisai Rissho alternate pronunciation Ryusho. His work so resembles that of his master that scholars have often been confused. . Ryusai used many Go [studio names], but after taking over from his master he favored Ichiryusai, Kisai, Yusho [Rissho] and the bewildering Shigenobu his first Go. He most likely assisted his master in the last few years of his life. Roberts devotes a long entry to him, see below. He is well collected by world museums. . *** THE MAP: The map is signed Kisai Ryuushoh/Risshou. . The map is bound in its original reverse embossed swastika designs on blue paper. It is according folded in half, then in 9 folded parts, as issued. The map is undated, but has a Kiwame [censor's seal] indicating a date range of on the right edge of the first page. Places of interest and milage distances are cited at the top of the map, similar information is at the bottom on the first & last pages. On the last page, far left is a red cartouche with the name and address of the publisher. . *** CONTENTS OF THE MAP: . The map is executed in pastels for the ost part, except for the bright red boxed indicating larger, more important places and smaller yellow boxes for villages. Even smaller places are simply noted by written names. . The work covers all of the major Japanese islands, Kyushu in the south, Sado to the west, Hokkaido to the north. . The area around each ocean is a atender blue, fading to the background paper color. Dark blue indicates deep ocean, dark green indicates trees pale green mountains, brown and gray for baron lands. Small pagodas with blue roofs are shrines, castles indicated by name in yellow boxes, other shrines and holy sites again in blue. Rivers in blue, small ships ply the waterways, . The work has an overall charm with a pleasant view, with a command of all areas from far above in the uniquely Japanese period "Bird's Eye View." . *** DATE: The map was printed in Keio 1st year=1865. . *** CONDITION: The map is in its original front & back paper covers, with a later brushed title slip. . The map is beautifully printed with fine registry and excellent impression, soft, tender pastels. . The hinges are firm, with a couple of tiny Washi paper mends to double-folded areas, else back is clean, overall very soild and firm. . There are no marks, stains or worm holes. By and large an excellent example in the best of condition. . *** REFERENCE: . KOBE CITY MUSEUM. [KOBE SHI RITSU HAKUBUTSU KAN].: AKIOKA KO CHIZU KOLEKUSHYON MEI HIN TEN: EXHIBITION OF THE AKIOKA COLLECTION OF FAMOUS OLD MAPS, see p.66 plate #79 for this exact map & p.102, #79 for description & notes. * ROBERTS, Laurance P.: A DICTIONARY OF JAPANESE ARTISTS: PAINTING, SCULPTURE, CERAMICS, PRINTS, LACQUER. Listed on p.45. * Lane, Richard.: IMAGES FROM THE FLOATING WORLD, The Japanese Print. * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshige_II . *** NOT FOUND IN: KOBE CITY MUSEUM. [KOBE SHI RITSU HAKUBUTSUKAN]: EZU TO FUKEI, E NO YONA CHIZU, CHIZU NO YONA E: BETWEEN LANDSCAPE PAINTING AND PANORAMIC MAPS. . *** .