Hana yose.

£12,500 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

botanical watercolours of camellias An exquisite manuscript album of watercolours depicting sixty-four varieties of camellia and twelve of hibiscus, made using traditional Japanese pigments on Washi paper. The painter, Mataemon Shibakawa (1853-1938), was the second-generation head of a large real estate company that had been in business since the Edo period; he was known for his many talents. This book was handmade in memory of one of his sons, who died prematurely. Camellias and hibiscus are native to Japan and have been cherished and cultivated there since ancient times. 50-leaf manuscript comprising 76 full-page watercolour paintings on Washi paper of Camellias and Hibiscus, 19 pages of hand-painted calligraphic text, and photographic frontispiece, a little light spotting, toning, and offsetting; original brown cloth wrappers with hand-painted title label, wrappers a little worn at the extremities, very good condition.

• Binding: Hardcover

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