Artistic illustrations : from Japan to Italy through the silk trade

This research proposal forms a hypothesis about the origin of numerous Japanese woodblock-printed books available in several libraries in Northern Italy. It is most likely that the volumes came to our shores with the roaring silk trade, which took place between the nineteenth and the twentieth century. Ever since Pébrine affected silk production in the mid-nineteenth century, the Far East, in particular Japan, had been the only supplier of silkworm-eggs. Many European silkworm farmers went there in search of healthy specimens and, alongside silkworm eggs, brought back works of art and other various precious artefacts. In addition to the rather unique discovery and origin of the books available at the Library in Milan and Varese (Italy), this research also illustrates and examines the technique and style of Japanese screen-printing contained in these illustrated volumes. The images – both in polychrome or black ink - embellished with metallic colours like gold and silver, are samples of decorative patterns sold to fabric dealers at the time for the production of cloth, fans, boxes, and many other handmade crafts. Many of the books available are signed by well-known artists from that period including Araki Kanpo, Kōno Bairei, Kaigai Tennen and, more interestingly, Kamisaka Sekka. In addition, the books are also an excellent source of historical and artistic documents as they provide a wide range of references to classical literature and Noh theatre. Besides the fact that they are an interesting example of exchanges and connections between the two countries.