1907 Rare Uncut Sheet of Satirical Postcards – Miyatake...

Exceptional and extremely rare Meiji-era board featuring 8 original, uncut postcards. Circa 1907. This historic document comes directly from the legendary monthly supplement Ehagaki Sekai (The World of Illustrated Postcards), published by the famous satirical newspaper Kokkei Shimbun (滑稽新聞). Details on condition and format: It is a full double-page spread from the era, printed on soft edition paper. The cards have never been separated or cut, which is exceptional for this medium intended for postal use. The back shows the official structure of Meiji-era postcards. Detailed description of the 8 pieces on the board: • 「舌 de きつ嘘」 (The Lie of the Tongue): Modern satire showing a man in a Western suit examining a woman’s tongue in a kimono, ironizing truth and the era’s seductive relationships. • 「煙火の昔」 (The Fireworks of Old): Illustration of a noblewoman from the classic Heian era seated near a ritual incense burner. • 「塊の情」 (Affection for the Fetus): Bold scene depicting the examination of a pregnant woman by a traditional midwife. • 「嵐 de 園公」 (The Storm of the Public Park): Humorous outdoor scene of a marital quarrel with a Meiji-era uniformed police officer rushing in. • 「鼠白の塲帳」 (The White Curtain of the Mouse): Expressive grotesque caricature of a naked man crawling on the ground with a horrified expression. • 「ろよたふ」 (Vertical Wordplay): Stylized strip-image composition showing traditional fauna and flora (deer, birds, flowers). • 「日吉道黄」 (The Procession of Hiyoshi): Nocturnal procession of men bearing green palanquins adorned with family crests (Kamon). • 「致極の愛」 (Extreme Love): Intimate scene of a man and a woman applying makeup or sharing a conspiratorial moment, accompanied by a calligraphic poem. HISTORY (Miyatake Gaikotsu & Censorship) The creator of this revue, Miyatake Gaikotsu, was a legendary dissident journalist. Imprisoned several times for challenging authorities and the Emperor (notably by depicting him as a skeleton), his periodicals were banned 43 times before being definitively halted by the government in 1909. The few surviving boards from this graphic-art supplement have almost all disappeared due to censorship, the 1923 earthquake, or the 1945 fires. TECHNICAL DETAILS • Printing: Magnificent color lithograph from the period, with a remarkably fine halftone. • Paper: Thin, flexible, and authentic pre-war original edition. A premier historical object, fragile and rare, a survivor of its time. Handle with care.

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