Three woodblocks

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[Three woodblocks] 

[Komatsuya (one block-face illustrated by)?].

[Japan: publishers unidentified, ca. Edo to Meiji period (1750-1910s)?].

A collection of three woodblocks used for printing in the Edo and Meiji periods. The earliest woodblock features an illustration on one side and part of another work on the other. The latter, evidently an earlier work than the illustration as it has been sliced in half for re-use, features an eighteen-petalled chrysanthemum (possibly suggesting a link with the imperial family) and a title (千秋万歳□ ("may you live a thousand years")) suggesting the work was printed in celebration of an unspecified special occasion. The illustration (of a beautiful woman or possibly a well-dressed man) features a small caption in the bottom right corner which may read Komatsuya, perhaps a reference to the little-known ukiyo-e artist Komatsuya Hyakki (1720-1794, also known as Komatsuken). The remaining two woodblocks feature content (ruled pages for notebooks) cut on one side only and were probably produced during the Meiji period. 

Three woodblocks. Wormholes and losses to Edo period block. One Meiji block slightly stained and wormholed, with one thin crack. Edo period block measures 28.5 x 17 cm. Meiji blocks measure 27.5 x 16.5 cm and 22.8 x 15.5 cm.

Three woodblocks
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