Asagiri (Morning mist)

A two-volume work featuring seventy illustrations matched with lyrics to folk or traditional Japanese songs. The illustrator, Ōta Saburō (1884-1969, sometimes referred to as Ōta Samurō), studied Western-style painting under the artist and politician Kuroda Seiki (1866-1924) and Japanese-style painting under Terasaki Kōgyō (1866-1919). Following a trip overseas in the 1920s, Ōta's style was influenced by Cubism and Fauvism. While many online records assert that all of the illustrations in the two volumes are woodblock-printed, a majority of the images seem to share more similarities with mimeographic illustrations. A mixture of mediums also seems possible. 

Two four-hole-bound (yotsutoji) volumes, complete, on double leaves, traditional East Asian binding style (fukurotoji). Original woodblock-printed wrappers, with a few small marks and creases. Occasional light foxing and browning to leaves. Small stain to lower opening corner of upper wrapper, upper pastedown, and first four leaves of second volume, not affecting text or illustrations. Housed in original book-box, loss to foot, general wear. [39; 38 leaves]. 19 x 13 cm. 

Asagiri (Morning mist)
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