“Fuzuko Gaho Illustrated Magazine #215: “China War Ensamble” War Special Issue c1900 w/ special focus on the Boxer Rebellion, Meiji Woodblocks”. Date: 1900 (War is the Boxer Rebellion 1899 – 1901). Dimensions: 10 x 7 1/4 inches. Pages: Approx 53 pages. Technique: With Multiple Woodblock Lithographs. Condition: General wear with foxing, creases and some loss. See photos for the exact condition. Published by TOYODO Kanda Torishinkokncho Tokyo Japan. It featured woodblock print illustrations (including this rare example) that documented various aspects of Japanese life, including. Depicting traditions that were disappearing at the time. Showing the influence of Western goods and changes in Japanese society. Japanese Home Life, Pastimes, and Amusements. Providing insights into daily activities. Street Trades and Performances. Capturing scenes from the bustling streets of Japan. Historical Events and Scenes of National Interest. Documenting significant moments and places. The style of the Fuzoku Gaho woodblock illustrations likely drew upon and evolved from the traditions of Ukiyo-e, a genre of Japanese art that flourished from the 17th to the 19th centuries and also focused on depicting everyday life and the “floating world” of fleeting pleasures. However, the Fuzoku Gaho may have also incorporated new artistic approaches and perspectives, reflecting the ongoing changes and modernizations of the Meiji period. According to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The woodblock printing process used in Fuzoku Gaho, like that of Ukiyo-e, involved a collaborative effort between the publisher, artist, woodcutter, and printer. The artists would create the designs, which were then carved into woodblocks, with separate blocks potentially being used for different colors to create polychrome prints.
