This rare complete edition of Hanare no Kiku Shirube no Kagami (離菊標鏡, “The Mirror of the Separated Chrysanthemum”) is a classic example of late Edo–early Meiji ukiyo-e illustrated literature (gesaku / kibyōshi). It was written by Seiseitei Wakatora (青盛亭若虎) and illustrated by Utagawa Yoshitora (歌川芳虎), a direct pupil of Kuniyoshi, renowned for his powerful warrior scenes and elegant bijin-ga (portraits of women).
This copy is especially valuable because it combines all three original volumes (三編) into one single book, preserving the entire narrative sequence. Such combined editions were typically sold in limited numbers or bound later for preservation, making this an exceptionally rare surviving example.
Each page displays:
Dynamic ukiyo-e linework by Yoshitora
Delicate color application in pink, blue, and yellow tones
Scenes of Edo-period life, samurai, women, and poetic motifs like chrysanthemums
Fukuro-toji binding (traditional Japanese side-stitch) on handmade washi paper
Title: 離菊標鏡 (Hanare no Kiku: Shirube no Kagami)
Author: 青盛亭若虎 (Seiseitei Wakatora)
Artist: 歌川芳虎 (Utagawa Yoshitora)
Publisher: 青盛堂 (Seiseidō)
Period: Late Edo to Early Meiji (c. 1860–1870)
Technique: Woodblock printing with hand-applied color
