Picture Books of Kawanabe Kyosai / Seigensha

The Picture Books of Kawanabe Kyosai by Seigensha features Kawanabe Kyosai (1831-1889), a painter from the late Edo to Meiji period trained in the Kano school who also produced many ukiyo-e prints. This book carefully selects 224 works from representative picture books including Kyosai Manga, Kyosai Donga, Kyosai Suiga, and Kyosai Hyakki Gadan from the collection of the Ota Memorial Museum of Art.

These ehon are not children's books, but woodblock print art collections that compile Kyosai's drawings. From skeletons and anatomical diagrams to frogs, cats, and yokai, these books contain Kyosai's dynamic and humorous illustrations published during his later years. Works are reorganized into three main genres: People and Skeletons, Animals and Nature, and Yokai and Gods/Buddhas. All works include commentary revealing the charm of the painting demon Kyosai through his unique satire and humor.

Published as a continuation of Seigensha Bunko's long-selling Hokusai Manga series, this book uses special printing technology by Yamada Photo Engraving to bring 150-year-old prints vividly to life. Includes a contribution by Sawada Hitoko, author of Hoshi Ochite, Nao, which depicts the life of Kyosai's daughter who lived as a female painter.