Fishes of Edo by Kazuhiko Tajima

Fishes of Edo by Kazuhiko Tajima

This third volume following Flowers of Edo and Birds of Edo turns its focus onto fishes. Mōri Baien was a natural history painter considered to be representative of the Edo period. This book features illustrations of 94 species created by Mōri Baien carefully selected from Baien-Gyofu (Baien Atlas of Fishes) and Baien-Gyohinzusei (Baien Pictorial Encyclopedia of Fishes), explained in bilingual Japanese-English text with information about each fish, such as the origin of its Japanese name, classification, scientific name, etc. In addition, cultural information such as what each fish was used for during the Edo period, the folklore surrounding them, and more are also introduced. This book deciphers one aspect of the profound story of Japanese people living in a seafaring country and fishes.