Flora! Illuminated… Day 3

Keinen Imao. From Keinen Kacho Gofu, 1891-1892. Japanese woodblock.

Why don’t you get a haircut? You look like a chrysanthemum! — P. G. Wodehouse

From the Davidson Galleries website:  “Kacho-ga, or “bird and flower pictures,” are among the most enduring and popular subjects of Japanese prints. Active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, print artist Imao Keinen’s most celebrated work was his four volume set  Keinen Kacho Gafu (Bird and Flower Albums by Keinen) published in 1891. Keinen Kacho Gafu is a collection of Japanese bird and plant portraits illustrating over 160 different birds in carefully selected, seasonal settings. Nearly every species of bird and flower ever to be depicted in the genre of kacho-ga is represented in Keinen’s album.  Keinen Kacho Gafu was published by Nihimura Soemon, Kyoto. The blocks were carved by Tanaka Jirokichi after designs by Keinen. Printed by Miki Jinzaburo and Tanaka Harubei.”  Learn more about Japanese prints and printmaking on Viewing Japanese Prints