(E-iri Nichiyô) ONNA CHÔHÔKI (絵入日用) 女重宝記. 5 volumes..

1847. Katsushika Ôi 葛飾応為. (E-iri Nichiyô) ONNA CHÔHÔKI (絵入日用) 女重宝記. 5 volumes... Ôsaka, Kawachiya Kihei, and Edo... various. Kôka 4 [1847]. 25.2 x 17.5 cm., Blue-green covers.

Katsushika Ôi, Hokusai's youngest daughter, has been acknowledged as a skilled painter and illustrator in her own right. She lived with her father in his old age (he died at 89) and research indicates she was involved in many of his late life projects...helping him in his pursuit of his art. Hokusai himself was said to acknowledge her skill in the painting of women matched or even exceeded his own. Here, in this title written by Takai Ranzan, her talents are on full display. (truncated) Though a number of her painted works survive, this title and one on the tea ceremony are the only book illustration works that acknowledged her independence as sole
artist.

We here have two versions of the work... The one usually found is bound in the original covers, all five volumes bound in one.... with the original title label. As usual, there is a double page color printed textual introduction and two pages of figures printed in color woodcut. This is followed by Ranzan's text, illustrated in sumi by Ôi with scenes of domestic occupation..... everything from child rearing to meal preparation, etc. The audience is definitely what we would consider middle or even upper class.

The second version of the work is bound in five volumes and the illustratiosn are done in sumi through out. The colophons are identical save that this version has an extensive booksellers' catalogue of titles from Izumiya Kanemon of Edo bound in. Comparison of the printings would seem to indicate that the five volume version bound in five is a bit earlier. An interesting touch is that it appears that the original chitsu of the set has been cut down and the decorative front label of the wrapper laid down on the cover of volume one.... preserving the original appearance of the set as sold by the bookseller.

This is the only copy of the 5 volume in five version I have found. The pair, a bit worn, in their custom clasped chitsu cases. (Inventory #: 91263)