Japanese Antique picture Handwritten Illustrations Collection set ASO380 -1

Taisho-Era Japanese Student Sketch Collection – Mixed Studies in Design, Portraiture, and Nature – Early 1900s

This is a remarkable collection of hand-painted sketches from the Taisho period (1912–1926) in Japan.
The period was identified through a diary that was found along with these works when they were acquired.
These works were created by a student or aspiring artist, and cover a wide range of subjects including botanical studies, Western-style portraits, patterns, maps, traditional lanterns, flowers, and daily life. The drawings are rendered with ink, watercolor, and pencil on delicate Japanese washi paper.

Among the pages are sketches of military figures, Japanese maps, fashion, and various natural elements—suggesting not only artistic training but also an educational component. The vivid color use, draft-like compositions, and handwritten notes offer an intimate look into early 20th-century Japanese visual education.