• Exceptional set of orchid woodblock prints from early 20th century Japan

• 98 orchid woodblock prints and 60 watercolour paintings, all in full colour

• Tells the story of Shotaro Kaga, a pioneering horticulturist and orchid grower in early 20th

century Japan who published a stunning collection of orchid woodblock prints based on his

extensive collection of tropical orchid species and hybrids

• Offers a window into Japanese history and culture in the first half of the 20th century

• The most comprehensive work to date on Rankafu, unrivalled in its breadth of information and

research

• Visually stunning book that will appeal to orchid enthusiasts and lovers of botanical artRankafu showcases for the first time an exceptional set of orchid woodblock prints from early 20th century Japan. Considered masterworks of botanical art, the Rankafu prints are visually stunning and reproduced here in full colour, showcasing the fine details of this spectacular art form.

Accompanying these stunning prints, the authors tell the story of Shotaro Kaga, a pioneering horticulturist whose orchid collection and breeding programme started a craze in Japan that continues to this day. Kaga and his gifted orchid gardener, Kenkichi Goto were highly skilled orchid growers and developed hundreds of spectacular orchid hybrids. Kaga’s interest in orchids was sparked by his visit to Kew in 1910 where he first saw tropical orchids in the extensive greenhouses, and visited many famous orchid nurseries such as Sander & Sons, from whom he would buy hundreds of plants over the coming decades.

This book is the most comprehensive work to date on Rankafu and is unrivalled in its breadth of information and research. It is a beautiful book that will appeal to orchid fanatics and lovers of botanical art, as well as those with an interest in 20th century Japan and the artistic process of making Japanese woodblock prints.

With a foreword by Phillip Cribb, leading orchid expert and author of many orchid books.