This authentic Japanese art book is titled 「景年習画帖（Keinen Shūgachō）」, a painting practice album created for art study and visual reference during the Meiji period by the renowned artist Imao Keinen (今尾景年).
Printed in Meiji 39 (1906) and clearly marked 「文部省検定済」 (Approved by the Ministry of Education), this work was officially sanctioned for educational use in Japan, reflecting the modernization of art instruction in the early 20th century.
The album contains a series of elegant minimalist ink paintings depicting animals and nature. Each illustration is executed in a refined sumi-e style, emphasizing form, movement, and the expressive use of negative space. Red artist seals appear on several plates, enhancing both its artistic and collector appeal.
The book is bound in its original washi paper covers using traditional Japanese stitched binding. The colophon pages clearly state the publication date, approval status, and publishing information, making this an excellent reference piece for scholars, artists, and collectors.
This is not a modern reproduction, but an original Meiji-era educational art manual, preserved in honest, age-appropriate condition.
DETAILS
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Title (Japanese): 景年習画帖（けいねん しゅうがちょう）
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Title (Romanized): Keinen Shūgachō
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Volume: 第六 (Volume 6)
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Artist: 今尾景年 (Imao Keinen)
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Genre: Japanese painting practice album / art manual
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Language: Japanese
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Illustration Style: Sumi ink painting (sumi-e)
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Approval: 文部省検定済 (Ministry of Education Approved)
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Date: 明治三十九年五月一日 (May 1, 1906)
Context & Collectibility
The Keinen Shūgachō series was used as an official study reference for students and aspiring painters during Japan’s modernization of art education. Unlike many privately issued art albums, this series received formal Ministry of Education approval, making it especially important from both an educational and historical perspective.
Original Meiji-period copies are now increasingly scarce, particularly in complete and unaltered condition such as this example.
Ideal For
- Japanese art collectors
- Museum or archive collections
- Sumi-e and Nihonga artists
- Meiji-period educational material collectors
