Series: 'Album of 100 Birds, Volume 2, Earth' d1881
This beautiful woodblock print depicts a mated pair of birds and blossoms from Volume 2 of Bairei's birds album series Earth, which includes 12 diptychs and 20 single page illustrations in black with shades of gray and soft orange. Bairei is well-known for the exquisite details in his nature prints. This print bears Bairei's seals and the title, along with the marks of the publisher Tokyo Shorin Corporation. The print measures 9.5" x 6.5", and is handsomely matted and framed in a simple brown frame measuring 13" x 11". It is in excellent original condition with superb color. Bairei's 'Album of One Hundred Birds', was published in three volumes in 1881, with a supplement featuring new designs following in 1884, also in three volumes. The three volumes are titled Sky, Earth, and People, which does not refer to the contents, but is rather an archaic form of Japanese numbering for 1, 2, and 3. These lovely designs feature birds in their natural habitats, among trees, flowers, and plants, in a variety of seasons. Carefully observed and drawn with fine calligraphic line work, these prints are an excellent example of Bairei's kacho-e (bird and flower prints).                              P3575              $235.00