Bemusedstore

We weave art with use, beauty meets its daily task - life, made more vibrant.

"We are a creative company dedicated to infusing design and artistry into both business and life. We provide strategic graphic design and social media marketing services to elevate brands. For unique, creativity-sparking gifts and goods, explore the Bemusedstore. Our curated collection features beautiful, handcrafted glassware, custom items, and artisan-crafted products for everyday use and exceptional gifting. Discover the difference creativity makes."

- Becky Cheung

Seiyo Soka Zufu (西洋草花図譜), translated as "The Picture Album of Western Plants and Flowers,"represents a pivotal artistic achievement from Japan's Taisho era (1917). Created by Tanigami Konan(1879-1928), this collection of woodblock prints showcases Western botanical specimens through the refined lens of Japanese kacho-e (flower-and-bird) art . The complete work comprises five volumes, organized seasonally with two volumes dedicated to spring, two to summer, and one combining autumn and winter specimens . Each print measures approximately 365x260mm (oban size) and features exquisitely detailed illustrations with rich colors that remain vibrant even a century after their creation. The historical context of this collection is particularly fascinating.

During the Meiji and Taisho eras, Japan experienced significant cultural exchange with the West, and this artistic project reflects the cross-cultural fascination that characterized the period. Tanigami Konan, though not as widely known as some of his contemporaries, demonstrated remarkable technical mastery in his depiction of Western flora, including roses, gloxinia, cyclamen, poinsettias, and various orchids . The publisher, Unsodo (芸艸堂, established 1891), was a respected Kyoto-based firm known for high-quality art publications. We have chosen those that we like as a small collection and hope you like it too.