World of Fine Arts (Bijutsu Sekai) : [volume 1]

Watanabe, Seitei, 1851-1918 · 1890 · Tokyo : Shun’yōdō 春陽堂 · 8 pictures

A Meiji-era Japanese picture book, published in Tokyo in 1890 by Shun'yōdō and illustrated by Watanabe Seitei, aimed at a general audience interested in the fine arts. Its pages show woodblock-printed scenes of plants, birds, rocks, and figures in a restrained, ink-and-colour style, with light washes of red and yellow on some leaves and combs. A designer might take its economical line work, open spacing of motifs, and sparing colour accents for botanical or decorative layouts.

Thomas J. Watson Library, The Metropolitan Museum of Art · No known copyright restrictions · More from this library