275 - UTAGAWA TOYOKUNI I: AN IMPORTANT AND MASTERFULLY PAINTED ‘MUSOBYOE KOCHO MONOGATARI’ ALBUM WITH CALLIGRAPHY BY TAKIZAWA BAKIN, DATED 1816

UTAGAWA TOYOKUNI I: AN IMPORTANT AND MASTERFULLY PAINTED ‘MUSOBYOE KOCHO MONOGATARI’ ALBUM WITH CALLIGRAPHY BY TAKIZAWA BAKIN, DATED 1816 Paintings by Utagawa Toyokuni I (Ichiyosai, 1769-1825); text and calligraphy by Takizawa Bakin (1767-1848) Japan, dated 1816 Expert’s note: The exceptional importance of the present album lies in the conjunction of Takizawa Bakin’s own revised manuscript with original paintings by Utagawa Toyokuni I. According to the colophon, Bakin corrected omissions and errors in the previously printed text and regarded the present manuscript as an authoritative abridged version, completed in 1816. Significantly, the earlier printed Musobyoe Kocho Monogatari, issued in 1809-1810, was illustrated by Utagawa Toyohiro (1773-1828), rather than Toyokuni. The paintings in the present album therefore constitute a fresh pictorial interpretation of Bakin’s fantastic narrative, executed several years after its publication directly in brush and color on silk. Toyokuni is celebrated above all as one of the dominant print designers of his age, while his autograph paintings are considerably less frequently encountered. The carefully brushed text, richly colored paintings, and gold-flecked borders further suggest a private commission intended for intimate viewing and collection. Bakin and Toyokuni had previously collaborated on Yakusha meisho zue (1800), placing the present manuscript within an established artistic relationship. Ink, colors, and gold paint on silk, each leaf mounted within gold-flecked paper borders and bound in an album with a purple silk cover. The album comprises seventeen finely painted scenes from Musobyoe Kocho Monogatari, written by Takizawa Bakin (1767-1848), with paintings by Utagawa Toyokuni I. Inscriptions: The colophon on p. 5 states that Volume Five was revised and carefully recopied by the author, with illustrations on several pages by Ichiyosai Utagawa Toyokuni. As the printed edition contained omissions and errors, these have now been corrected, and this text should be regarded as the authoritative abridged version. Completed on the twenty-first day of the twelfth month of Bunka 13 (1816), by Kyokutei Bakin. IMAGE SIZE 34 x 50 cm (each), ALBUM SIZE 37 x 55.5 cm Condition: Excellent condition. The paintings retain remarkably vivid and fresh colors. Minor expected wear, including minuscule stains and foxing. The present album offers an abridged version of Musobyoe Kocho Monogatari, comprising excerpts inscribed by the author, Takizawa Bakin, and seventeen paintings by Utagawa Toyokuni I. The selections draw on different volumes and appear in a varied sequence, while the paintings frequently extend beyond the passages on the facing pages. Bakin’s exceptionally intricate handwritten kana requires specialist paleographical expertise and presents considerable challenges even to experienced readers. Takizawa Bakin (1767-1848), also known by his literary name Kyokutei Bakin, was among the foremost novelists of late Edo-period Japan. Born into a samurai household in Edo, he became a pupil of Santo Kyoden in 1790 and developed an exceptionally prolific career, drawing upon Japanese history, Chinese literature, folklore, and moral philosophy. His celebrated Nanso Satomi Hakkenden (The Eight Dog Chronicles, 1814-1842) extended to 106 volumes. Even after losing his sight, Bakin continued its composition through dictation to his daughter-in-law, Omichi. His combination of elaborate invention and moral purpose also informs the present lot, Musobyoe Kocho Monogatari. Auction comparison: Compare a related hanging scroll painting depicting a beauty with a hand mirror, by the same artist, at Christie’s, Japanese Works of Art, 27 April 1994, New York, lot 95 (sold for USD 156,500 or approx. EUR 318,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). Due to length restriction on Drouot this entry is shortened. For full description please visit www.zacke.at.