Kõrin Moyo. (Korin patterns) Two volumes. Kyoto, Unsõdõ, Meiji 40 (1907). KÔRIN, FURUYA: East Asia

Complete in two volumes. (24.8 x 18 cm). Four preliminary pages, twenty-five coloured double-page woodcut plates, and a colophon. Leporello folded. Publisher's blue paper boards, decorated in silver and with title labels, lightly rubbed along edges. A wonderful selection of stunning designs by Furuya Kôrin, student of Kamisaka Sekka and one of the foremost designers in Japan at this time. The combination of motifs with flowers, plants, birds and deer is created in a sensational way. Exquisitely printed with good impression and colour, several highlighted with silver. Kôrin was the key figure in the development of the Neo-Rinpa style, a modern design with a combination of the traditional Japanese style and the Art Nouveau ornamental design. Artists drew inspiration from both the organic and geometric forms, evolving elegant designs that united flowing, natural forms and more angular contours. In the beginning of the 20th century an increased demand for modern designs for kimonos and other textile products led to publication of this kind of book (zuancho) to be used by craftsmen, but they were also appreciated as beautiful objects to be enjoyed for their own sake.From around 1889 the company was known as Honda Unkind . Large numbers of kimono-related books were being published in Kyoto at that time and there was intense competition between Uns d and Unkind , a rivalry which stimulated the creation of a great many design books.