Gyokusandô

The rare first edition, complete in 2 volumes. The first volume contains a colored frontispiece and 13 double-page plates. The second volume has 12 double-page plates and a black frontispiece. All plates are in black and grey wash. The volumes are undated but note a location: Nihonbashi dori, the bridge avenue in Edo. They bear the name of Ichiyusai, one of Kuniyoshi's first artistic names. The date is therefore indicative and has been determined according to various criteria; however, according to the preface, the books were in production at the time of Kuniyoshi's death and the frontispiece of the second volume is the work of Utagawa Sadahide. One of the master's last works in which he red