Miyabi Kyodo: ”Gorgeous book of paintings”
鏡堂みやび豪華画集

A green slipcase with a hardbound book, the first one from Sanwa collecting the work of the artist Miyabi Kyodo.

Among its many strong images, the book also contains a homage to Miyabi Kyodos friend and mentor, Kita Reiko (AKA Minomura Kou), in the form of a ”repainting” of one of his works. The scan above is from the book, but generously provided by the artist himself in private communication.

I noted the difference in the text written on the two images, and wrote to the artist to ask about the meaning. He replied (English slightly emended):

”On the original painting by Kita Reiko, it is written: ”Daikan [the local sheriff] will take his time to make fun of Hizakura Oryu [a scarlet  cherry blossom], and let everyone observe her carefully as he pleases.” The text in the ’re-painted’ picture is: ”This woman, named Hizakura Oryu, is a dice dealer. This bitch damaged the house by cheating the addicted gamblers. Anyone who suffered a loss may bully this brazen hussy.” And the text with Chinese characters in the upper right corner reads: ”In June 1999, Kyodo Miyabi respectfully re-painted the original by master Kita Reiko /Signature and seal/.””

Very rare, an edition limited to 150 copies.
Publisher: Sanwa, 2002

See also an earlier post on this blog, about Miyabi Kyodos most recent work:
https://kinbakubooks.wordpress.com/2013/09/06/miyabi-kyodo/