Saitō Shūho was one of the most interesting artists of his generation. He studied the Maruyama style of painting under its founder Maruyama Ōkyo (1733-1795), but also studied with Chinese artists residing in Nagasaki. Shūho did not illustrate many books, but Tsuwamono zukushi was one of the two most charming and rare books of the early 19th century. This book lacks the usual publication information on the back page (kanki), but are clearly very deluxe printings, indicating that it was kubaribon, or privately commissioned publication printed in very limited runs for a coterie of poets, and never intended for public sale (though sometimes kubaribon could later be issued for public sale).

Preface by Suganuma Kien (approximately 1761-1834) dated 1805. Kien was a well-known haiku poet and calligrapher from Osaka.

The book contains whimsical portraits of famous warriors (samurai) from Japan's history along with haiku poems based upon the images. The style and design is striking, innovative, and sometimes humorous. It has been shown that Shūho based some of his images on those by Kitao Masayoshi (1764-1824).

On double leaves, oriental style (fukurotoji).

Collector's signature on the last page : Hakubaisha Kōbe.

Keyes, R.S. Ehon 38

Mitchell, C.H. Illustrated books of the Nanga, Maruyama, Shijo and other related schools of Japan, p. 543

cat o pcc vault 20180315 esc/rlm

BYU copy: String-bound, Japanese-style, fukuro-toji. Publication is attributed to Watatei (see Mitchell 543). This copy has the title label and the original printed covers. In a custom clasped chitsu case.