Illustrated manuscript on paper, entitled "Kozai Fusha...zo. Kiseki fukiseki...[indecipherable name of the artist]" ["The Enjoyment of Rocks. Belonging to Kozai Fusha..."]

24 black & white with gray wash brush drawings of rocks. 25 folding leaves (including upper wrappers). 8vo (265 x 195 mm.), orig. wrappers bound in later wrappers. [Japan]: late Edo.


A finely illustrated manuscript concerned with garden rocks from the three regions (Ono, Masuda, and Yoshiki) of Hida Province (today's Gifu Prefecture). Rocks have always played a fundamental role in Japanese garden design, and because of the unique geological history of the region, the rocks from Hida have always been prized for their unique rustic patterns that can be seen on their surfaces.


For the 24 fine images of various kinds of Hida rocks, the artist has provided manuscript labels giving rather fanciful names reflecting each rock's shape ("aristocrat's hat," "dumpling rocks," "biwa lute," "sorceror's foot," "treasure chest," "iron pot," "bosom rock," "rainbow rock," "flower rock," "full-moon rock," "snake rock," "Buddha rock," etc.). Additionally, the artist provides information on where each rock was found and its measurements.


The manuscript was created to allow connoisseurs to heighten their appreciation of unusual rocks.


Fine copy. Dampstaining in lower margins throughout, not touching images. Stamp at end of Fujita Ryo'ei in Takayama in Gifu Prefecture.