[Untitled album of hand-painted postcards]

US$4,500.00

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[Untitled album of hand-painted postcards] 

[Asaka], Tairin [hand-painted by].

[Japan, ca. 1910-11]. In manuscript.

A collection of 83 hand-painted postcards (and one woodblock-printed postcard) by the artist and satirical cartoonist Asaka Tairin. Although little is known about Tairin's life, it is recorded that he produced designs for commercial lithographically-printed postcards and contributed a story to at least one issue of Tokyo Puck magazine. Whether the postcards in this album were ever printed commercially is unknown. Tairin's illustrations depict a range of subjects, but perhaps most prominent are the themes of work and daily life. The illustrations show people bathing, sweeping, cutting branches, building bridges, lighting lanterns, painting Noh masks, visiting temples, carving sculptures, stealing strawberries, hiding from thunder, and so on. Kabuki is also a prominent theme, and Tairin has pasted sections of printed programmes onto some of the postcards to create collages. Tairin himself is also occasionally illustrated in the postcards. Sometimes charming, sometimes elegant, sometimes comical, the postcards in this album showcase the range and skill of an under-appreciated Meiji-period artist. 

One accordion-bound album of loosely mounted postcards. Original boards worn and discoloured. Tape residue to upper pastedown. Binding split along one hinge. Tape repair to one folding edge. Occasional foxing and browning to postcards and mountings. Album measures 18 x 12.4 cm; postcards measure 14 x 9 cm.

[Untitled album of hand-painted postcards]
Price: $4,500.00 (USD)