“Sekiga-Shiken,” , the precursor of lithographic printing in Japan

This collection represents the earliest work of lithographic printing in Japan.Eleven different figures are arranged under a preface describing the superiority of lithographic technology over prior printing techniques.
Juken Ishii, who wrote this preface and went by the name Teiko as well, was an active painter in the Meiji era.While serving in the Ministry of Finance, he attempted lithographic printing with Rokuzan Gengendo, an original-plate engraver of Dajokan notes, with whom he became close through the production of public debt certificates, and produced this collection.In addition to these monochrome printing works, Ishii was involved in the production of multicolor lithographic prints for appreciation, such as "Kokka Yoho" at the Printing Bureau.