Album met honderd vogels van Bairei Possibly 1884 - 1888

This is the cover of ‘Album met honderd vogels van Bairei’ made by Kōno Bairei in Japan with woodblock printing. Here, we see an aged book cover defined by distinct textural and compositional elements. The serene off-white backdrop is punctuated by a vertical block of muted red on the left, inscribed with vertical black calligraphic text. A delicate, faded circular motif is centrally placed, its intricate design hinting at the album’s contents. The cover operates almost as a sign, a semiotic device. The calligraphic text and bird motif act as cultural codes, inviting us into a world of traditional Japanese art. The worn texture and faded colours evoke a sense of history. The album cover, therefore, transcends its function as a mere protective layer; it becomes an artifact, a testament to the passage of time, and an invitation to explore the rich artistic content within.