Hanabusaya Heikichi

First edition, rare, which can be translated under the title Hokusai's Sketches, volume 1. 15 volumes were indeed published covering Hokusai's work. First volume was published in 1814 and the last posthumously in 1878. The final volume is considered apocryphal by some art historians. The volume contains approximately 30 subjects, most on double pages in black, grey and flesh tones. The preface was written by Hanshi Sanjin, who presents the master's visit to Nagoya. It is essential to add that one cannot determine whether this is the first printing or a later printing, because on this subject, there was no difference for the Japanese, and the publisher reprinted volumes as needed, the notion of first printing not being relevant with regard to Japanese books. We know however that the publisher made a second printing of this book between 1828 and 1878. Later printings do not have the same publisher's name and often possess a date, which is not the case with earlier printings. 
Stichted volume. Turquoise cover with title label and red writing on white ground. One stitch detached, without consequence for solidity. Small wormhole damage to lower margin of the first 3 leaves. Fine copy, very fresh, quite rare in this condition. Volume containing illustrations of figures and animals.