Tea Flowers and Darurian Redstarts (Winter) - Rakusan's Album of Birds and Flowers - Tsuchiya Rakusan designed his lovely, large format "Album of Birds and Flowers" (Rakusan kacho gafu) series in the late 1920s, with the first edition published from 1929 to 1933. Prints were available by private subscription only, with two subjects issued each month, and a first printing run limited to about 200 copies. The series proved so popular that Rakusan released a second edition between 1935 - 1941, and a few design were even issued in a third edition from 1948 - 1955
Comprised of one hundred prints, this stunning series features beautifully drawn birds in their natural habitats, set against blossoming cherry trees or rugged pines, perched on swaying branches or caring for young, captured in deep rich color with wonderful detail. Several images are embellished with a dusting of metallic gold. These complex designs required the greatest skill of carvers and printers to translate Rakusan's vision into woodblock format. Today, collectors prize these original first edition prints for their striking compositions, jewel-like color, and delicate detail

Edition - Second Edition, 1935 - 1941, with five kanji watermark in bottom margin
Publisher - Self published

Artist - Rakusan Tsuchiya (1896 - 1976)

Image Size - 13 1/4" x 18 3/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Loss at edge, tears at edges and within margins, repaired. Light toning, a few small spots and creases. Please see photos for details.