Woodblock Print Book by Suikei: Selected Tang Poems

A red seal, a column of characters, and stitching still holding firm.

This woodblock print book, Selected Tang Poems, is from Japan, dated 1791, in ink on paper, and is listed with the name Suikei. Tang poetry was much admired in Edo period Japan, and illustrated anthologies paired the verses with pictures for readers who enjoyed both. The cover is green paper with a mottled, swirling pattern pressed into it. A long cream title slip at the upper left carries the title in vertical characters above a red square seal. Red thread binds the spine at the right. It is 6.2 inches wide and 8.9 high.

Old poems, older still by the time they reached this cover.