Description
Delicate original woodblock print of the kuchi-e (口絵) type made by the artist Mizuno Toshikata (水野年方) for the vol. 8 n. 7 of the famous literary magazine Bungei Kurabu (文芸倶楽部) and depicting a bijin (美人) beauty intent on arranging the cords of a kusudama (薬玉) floral decoration.
The kusudama, literally the “medicine balls”, originate from ancient Japanese culture, when they were used for incense and potpourri. Originally they were probably made with herbs or flowers, and then became an origami technique. Today they are generally used for ornamental purposes or as a gift.
The print on Japanese washi paper (和紙), produced in May 1902 by the Hakubunkan (博文館) publishing house, despite some signs of aging including slight stains, is in good general condition.
