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Recenty received a set of 12 of Katsushiku Hokusai's 36 views of Mt Fuji as well as many volumes of Japanese woodblock print & other books that appear to date back to the 1700s from an estate collection of Arthur Wesley Dow. The Hokusai prints are in great shape with rich color and in original sleeve. I have attacked pictures of the sleeve with the first 2 calligraphy pages (just the text in bocks) as well as an example or two of the prints themselves. I beleive tohem to be 1800s but am not sure

It's a map titled 'Shukurin Hokusai sanjûrokkei', published by Kobayashi Bunshichi (Tokyo) in 1901 (Meiji 34) containing reproductions of Hokusai's 'Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji'.

Guy.

Arthur Wesley Dow had an exceptional collection of Japanese prints. It sounds like you've got some great prints there. The series you are inquiring about is probably the most copied series of Japanese woodblock prints and has been copied more than 1000 times. That said, they are from a famed collector and that bodes well that they might be original prints.

Cheers,
Stan

Meiji 34 = 1902

Sorry, these are Meiji era reproductions. The date on the cover is "Meiji 24" eighth month.
That would be August, 1892.

Rather, make that 1891.

Excuse me, that's Meiji 34 or 1901. Sheesh, I need to wear my glasses.

Thank you so much - I was guessing they were of that era. I hope to post some pictures of the books soon with what calligraphy and notes are there and would appreciate any help with them.

The question I had was.. Is this in fact an 1800s set or one from the 1911-1925 era? It is a smaller size edition as well. I don't read Japanese and was hoping for some insight as to how to date woodblock prints. Attached are 3 other examples of the set including paper margins

This set was printed in Meiji 34 (The 24 august 1901) as indicated on the cover. It was smaller size reprints by a publisher of the end of Meiji's period.

Nels,

I also have a copy of this set but it is missing both the original folio and 1 print. I wonder if you might be able to tell me which print I am missing. My set contains the five you have pictured here plus the following: Storm Beneath the Summit, Fuji Reflected in Lake Kawaguchi, Tama River in Musashi Province, Tsukada Island, Umegawa, and Mishima Pass.

Willie

I am not sure if this is an entire folio or not, but the 12 I have are: Enoshima in Sagami Province "Soshu Enoshima", Red Fuji/ South Wind, Clear Sky "Gaifu Kaisei", Lake Kawaguchi from Misaka Pass "Koshu Misaka Suima", Umegawa in Sagami Province "Soshu Umezawanosho", Tama River in Musashi Province "Bushu Tamagawa",Inumi Pass "Koshu Inume-tpge", Shichiri Beach in Sagami Privince "Soshu Shichiri-ga-hana", The Great Wave of Kanagawa "Kanagawa Oki Nami-Una", Below Meguro "Shimo-meguro", Mishima Pass in Kai Province "Koshu Mishima-goe", Rainstorm Beneath the Summit "Sanka Haku" and Tsukuda Island in Musashi Province "Buyo Tsukuda-Jima"

I am writing from Japanese television, TV Asahi.

We are currently looking to uncover Hokusai's work as a part of our television production.  
We are wondering if it is possible to make a feature of this piece in our show. I'd be grateful if you could be in touch with me to discuss the terms and conditions of the filming.

We have an appointment with Hokusai and a Japanese art specialist in December, and your work can be looked at by the experts for valuation in the Antique Roadshow style if you wish.

Hanako  Kuyama/Ms hanakokuyama@gmail.com / 07795567486 

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