During the Meiji period (1868–1912), the renowned Unsodo publishing company based in Kyoto published two craft design books, Bijutsukai and Shin Bijutsukai. These books showcase stunning designs created by highly skilled Japanese painters and designers, and are a collection of multicolored woodblock prints.
This cover features a craft design from Bijutsukai, depicting a ferryboat in a bird's-eye view from above. The design shows a boatman wearing a straw hat and raincoat, surrounded by light blue river and large white oblique lines that resemble sunlight. This modern yet classical motif is enhanced by the striped arrangement and the inclusion of boats and flowers, creating a sense of rhythm and representing the boat's time on the river. The overall effect of the craft design evokes a refreshing breeze.
For A6 Original Size
