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Collections

Kawanabe Kyōsai
Kyōsai's Treatise on Painting, volume 21887

Not on view
Printed book page with vertical columns of East Asian cursive calligraphy in black ink, three red square seals, and a short English inscription in serif type at the bottom
Japanese woodblock print across two pages, depicting oni demons and supernatural figures in red and blue ink surrounding a large cauldron at left, with human figures observing at right; dynamic composition with swirling flames and smoke, columns of Japanese calligraphy at lower right
Japanese woodblock-printed book spread with hand-applied color washes, depicting multiple dynamic figure groupings. Left page shows figures in flowing robes, some airborne, gathered around a cooking fire and barrel. Right page shows wrestling and reclining figures, with a group huddled near red flames at lower right. Vertical columns of Japanese calligraphy at upper right, with romanized caption reading 'The style of Painting of Tosa Nobuyane.'
Japanese woodblock-printed book spread with hand-applied blue wash, depicting multiple figures including warriors in armor with swords, travelers carrying loads, and fantastical creatures; vertical columns of Japanese calligraphy at left and right; fine ink outlines with sparse color.
Woodblock-printed book opening with two bust-length portraits of bearded male figures in traditional court dress and headwear; left figure in robes with circular medallion pattern, right figure with a tall eboshi cap and orange collar accent, vertical columns of Japanese calligraphy at margins, English captions at top.
Printed illustration comparing two Japanese painting styles: upper half shows two figures in Sumiyoshi style, one adjusting the other's hair; lower half depicts a shishi (lion-dog) head in Ukiyo Matahei style, with bold swirling lines. Columns of Japanese script and English captions label each section.
Woodblock-printed book opening across two pages; left page depicts grapevine with broad leaves and clusters in ink wash style; right page shows a hawk perched on rocks with a large square seal and vertical columns of Japanese and Chinese calligraphy.
Woodblock-printed book opening showing two guardian deity heads with fierce expressions, wild flowing hair, and halos; left figure accented in pale blue with a small lion ornament at forehead; vertical columns of Japanese text and English captions at top reading 'The style of Painting of Takuma Hoin' and 'The style of Painting of Kose Kanaoka'
Woodblock-printed book spread with two illustrated pages. Left page shows a hen with chicks among ground cover and white chrysanthemums with light green wash, with Japanese and Chinese calligraphy annotations. Right page depicts a water buffalo, a dog, and a seated figure beneath a weeping willow tree beside a stream, with a snake in the foreground. Columns of Japanese and Chinese characters appear throughout.
Japanese woodblock-printed book opening across two pages; left page depicts robed figures beneath bare winter trees beside a rocky waterfall in pale ink washes; right page shows frogs on lotus leaves, a dragonfly, and flowering stems in green and blue, with vertical columns of Japanese calligraphy and romanized captions at top margins.
Woodblock-printed book illustration across two pages; a standing horse with blue saddle blanket faces a robed male figure offering a water basin, rendered in fine ink lines with pale blue accents; vertical column of Chinese characters at right margin
Woodblock print page depicting several children in traditional robes engaged in play: one standing figure holds a decorative blue triangular banner on a pole beside a mottled rock, two figures wrestle or tumble together at center, and a seated child plays on a pale blue mat surrounded by small objects including a drum and lacquerware boxes. Soft palette of blue, orange, and gray with fine outlines.
Woodblock print illustration from a book, two robed male figures facing each other beneath a gnarled pine tree with rocky garden elements and bamboo; vertical columns of Chinese characters at left, a seal at lower right.
Woodblock print in fine ink lines depicting a dynamic figure riding a mythical lion-like creature at lower center, wielding a long staff aimed upward toward a floating rocky mountain carried by a demon amid swirling clouds; vertical column of Chinese characters at upper right.
Woodblock print in ink on paper; two horses at a feeding trough attended by a groom bent forward, wooden bucket on the ground; fine contour lines with minimal shading; vertical columns of Japanese calligraphy at right, a seal at upper left, and a caption in Latin script along the bottom margin.
Woodblock print in ink, bearded figure riding an ox led by a small boy with a rope, set against mountains and a gnarled tree; vertical column of Japanese characters at lower right, English caption at lower left
Woodblock print of a charging bull in profile, rendered with fine hatched lines suggesting fur texture; snow-dusted bamboo and tree branches at left; vertical column of Japanese calligraphy at right with small printed English caption at lower right.
Woodblock print reproduction of a brush painting in ink, depicting a robed figure crouching beside a large ox near water and sparse grasses, rendered with fluid, minimal brushwork. Vertical column of Chinese characters at upper right; printed English caption at lower right.
Woodblock print in ink wash style, a small bird perched on a flowering branch at right, with a leafy berry-laden branch at left, against a lightly printed cloud background; vertical column of Japanese calligraphy at upper left.
Woodblock print of two robed figures: a bearded elder reclines while a smaller figure leans toward him, both rendered in fine ink lines. A woven basket vase with flowers stands at right. Columns of Chinese characters appear upper left and upper right.
Woodblock print in pale ink and light color washes; a robed figure with a brush sits beside a large pine tree, with rocky outcroppings and bare branches at left; vertical column of Chinese calligraphy at upper right; English caption along lower edge.
Woodblock print with light wash, a robed figure reclining in a shallow woven basket surrounded by large leaves and floating leaf shapes above; two Japanese characters in the upper right corner; fine outline brushwork in pale green and grey tones.
Printed page with vertical columns of Japanese calligraphy in brush script, two square seal impressions at left, and a small English caption at the bottom signed 'Kawanabe Kiosai'
Japanese woodblock-printed book spread showing multiple expressive faces and heads in ink line work; left page features large demonic and human faces amid swirling clouds, right page shows a cluster of varied faces with exaggerated features, one figure wearing blue; vertical column of Japanese calligraphy at right margin with English title at top.
Woodblock print illustration featuring five figures: a standing woman in robes at left, a reclining woman below her, a warrior in a red-accented helmet at top center, and two older male figures at right, one bearded. Fine ink linework with minimal color; vertical column of Japanese calligraphy at upper right, Latin text caption at top.
Woodblock-printed illustrated book spread with multiple figure sketches in black ink with light blue wash; human and fantastical figures, roosters, and vessels arranged across both pages, with vertical columns of Japanese calligraphy and an English caption at upper right.
Woodblock print, half-length figure of a woman in a pale kimono with a floral-patterned obi, adjusting a hairpin in her dark upswept hair, eyes downcast; printed with fine ink lines and minimal color; vertical column of Japanese characters at right, with English text along the top margin.
Woodblock-printed book spread with Japanese text columns at margins. Left page: large close-up of an armored warrior's face with fierce expression, overlaid by a stylized lion figure. Right page: two armored figures in combat amid a landscape of hills and sparse trees, rendered in fine ink lines.
Woodblock-printed botanical illustration of drooping leaves and seed pods on curved stems, rendered in dark ink on aged paper, with Japanese calligraphy at right and artist seals at lower left.
Woodblock-printed page showing two turtles in profile, one large above and one small below, rendered with bold ink lines emphasizing the segmented shell patterns. Vertical columns of Japanese calligraphy appear at left and upper right.
Woodblock print page featuring five figures in expressive ink brushwork: a tall central figure with a long face and beard, flanked by a disembodied face at upper left, a wild-haired crouching figure at lower left, a stooped figure carrying a small head, and a profile at upper right. Vertical columns of Japanese calligraphy at right; seal and inscription at lower corners.
Woodblock print page with fluid ink brushwork depicting multiple figures in various poses — a scholar at a writing table above, a crowd of robed figures in the middle, and enlarged portrait studies of faces below. Vertical column of Japanese characters at upper right; English caption at top reads 'The style of Painting of Ike Taigado.'
Woodblock print, three-quarter view bust of a bald figure with a beard, large ear with a ring, and heavy-browed expression, wearing robes rendered in bold fluid lines; vertical columns of Japanese calligraphy at left and right, with English text at top margin.
Woodblock print with light blue wash, depicting three robed figures in Chinese-style court dress around a large oval form on a wheeled cart; one figure is seated inside the oval, another kneels at lower left, and a standing figure holds a staff at right. Vertical column of Japanese calligraphy at upper right, with additional inscriptions and a seal at lower right.
Woodblock print, bust-length figure with an elaborate upswept hairstyle adorned with ornamental pins, glancing downward, wearing a kimono with patterned shoulders. Spare brushwork in black ink with pale blue accents. Vertical columns of Japanese calligraphy at right.
Woodblock print page featuring four faces arranged in a loose grid: two women with long flowing hair at top and lower left, one figure with a small hair ornament, and a bearded man at lower right. Soft pink accent colors on garments; vertical column of Japanese calligraphy at right edge and English text at top margin.
Woodblock print depicting four women's heads and shoulders at varying scales, with long black hair and pale faces rendered in delicate lines; pink and white patterned robes; vertical columns of Japanese text and English caption at top reading 'The style of Painting of Hishigawa Morenobu'
Japanese woodblock print with three horizontal registers depicting multiple figures' heads and busts. Top register shows three women with elaborate black coiffures in pink and white robes. Middle register shows mixed figures including one in a wide-brimmed hat. Bottom register shows expressive male faces with varied headgear, in black line with sparse orange and blue color. A Japanese character appears at upper right.
Woodblock print showing multiple figures in various scales: a large close-up of a woman combing her hair dominates the upper left, surrounded by smaller bust-length portraits of men and women in Edo-period dress. Pale pink and coral accents against black ink lines. Vertical column of Japanese calligraphy at upper right; English caption at top reads "The style of Painting of Miyagawa Chōsun."
Woodblock-printed page featuring five figures in varying scales: a bald bearded man and a woman with an elaborate updo in the upper half, two women with downcast eyes in the foreground, and smaller figures including one draped in red in the lower right. Vertical columns of Japanese calligraphy at left and right margins.
Woodblock print featuring a cluster of overlapping figures' heads and faces in varying scales, rendered with fine ink lines and sparse pink wash. A bald figure at top holds a round object aloft; several women with elaborate hair ornaments and traditional robes fill the center; bearded male faces appear at lower left. Vertical column of Japanese calligraphy at right.
Woodblock-printed book page with two bust-length portraits of women in elaborate hair ornaments and layered robes with red accents, each accompanied by vertical columns of Japanese calligraphy; faint circular ghost-image visible behind each figure.
Woodblock print of a seated bald man with a beard, playing a shamisen, wearing a light blue robe with floral and bird patterns; vertical column of Japanese calligraphy at right, English title text at top.
Woodblock-printed book opening with fine ink line work and sparse red and blue hand-coloring, depicting a battle scene across two pages. Left page shows a rearing white horse with a rider in a tall hat, surrounded by warriors in armor. Right page shows a chaotic melee of armored samurai figures with swords and spears, with a robed figure above. Columns of Japanese calligraphy appear at right; English inscription reads 'The style of Painting of Sumiyoshi Keion' along the top right margin.
Japanese woodblock print, two figures in traditional robes; a seated figure draped in pink garments faces right while a standing figure in outline holds a folded cloth, with Japanese calligraphy between them.
Woodblock-printed book illustration, bust-length figure of a woman in pale robes with an elaborate upswept hairstyle adorned with multiple kanzashi hairpins and pink floral ornaments, one hand raised. Vertical column of Japanese calligraphy at right, English text at top.
Woodblock print reproduction showing two figures in layered kimono, one leaning over the other, with elaborate hair ornaments; soft pink, lavender, and white tones with Japanese calligraphy annotations throughout and English text at top margin.
Woodblock print page depicting multiple supernatural figures (yōkai and spirits) arranged across the composition, with Japanese calligraphic annotations and English caption reading 'The style of painting of Toriyama Sekiyen' at top.
Woodblock-printed book page with two illustrations and English and Japanese text captions. Upper image: a large frog perched on a barrel amid rocks and broad leaves. Lower image: a figure leaning over a shallow basin, with a wooden bucket nearby, rendered in pale blue and gray ink with fine line work.
Woodblock print page featuring a cluster of figures: several women with elaborate hair ornaments in the upper portion, and two men with shaved heads below, one reading a document. Rendered in fine ink lines with sparse red and blue accents. English inscription at top reads "The style of painting of Katsukawa Shunsho," with a vertical column of Japanese characters at upper right.
Woodblock-printed illustrated book page divided into two panels with English and Japanese text labels. Upper panel: a large frog perched on a decorative drum amid foliage, rendered with bold outlines and pale blue wash. Lower panel: a figure in loose robes bent forward, hands submerged in a wide basin, with wooden buckets at right, depicted in fine line work with light color wash.
Woodblock print page featuring a cluster of figures in close composition: several women with elaborate hair ornaments and dark robes in the upper portion, and male figures with shaved heads below, one holding a pipe. A woman in the foreground reads an open book, her collar accented in red. Sparse color washes in red and blue. Vertical column of Japanese calligraphy at upper right; English caption text at top.
Woodblock print, two women in traditional Japanese dress, one standing with an elaborate hair ornament looking down at a second seated figure with a floral hair decoration, rendered in delicate line work with sparse red and gray accents; vertical columns of Japanese calligraphy at right and English text along the top border
Woodblock-printed book page with five faces in varying scales: women with elaborate hair ornaments and kanzashi pins in the foreground, a male figure at upper left holding a pipe, and a smaller female face at right. Vertical columns of Japanese calligraphy at left; English inscription along the top edge reads 'The style of Painting of Utagawa Toyokuni.' Minimal color with touches of red on lips and collar.
Woodblock print, two figures in Chinese-style warrior dress wielding long spears; the larger figure wears ornate armor and a tiger-head helmet, the smaller wears layered robes; fine ink line work with columns of Japanese and Chinese text at right.
Woodblock-printed double-page spread with light blue wash, depicting multiple supernatural figures with flowing robes and hair amid swirling clouds; a large lidded vessel floats at center; columns of Japanese calligraphy at upper right with handwritten English inscription reading "The style of Painting of Toha Soujo"
Artist or Maker
Kawanabe Kyōsai
Title
Kyōsai's Treatise on Painting, volume 2
Place Made
Japan
Date Made
1887
Medium
Color woodblock printed books; four volumes covered with a slip cover having woodblock printed illustration adhered to cloth
Dimensions
Volumes: 10 1/4 x 5 1/2 x 3/8 in. (26 x 14 x .95 cm); each cover open: 10 1/2 x 24 in. (26.7 x 61 cm)
Credit Line
Herbert R. Cole Collection
Accession Number
M.84.31.517.2
Classification
Books
Collecting Area
Japanese Art