Series: 100 Views of Edo Publisher: Uo-Ei Fine impression, color and condition. Backed, margins slightly trimmed. Fine example of the Deluxe 1st. State of this design The crane shown here is the Japanese crane, called tanchō or “red-crest,” after the bald red spot in its head. In the Tokugawa period, it appears to have been distributed widely over eastern Japan, but today only a few hundred protected birds survive in Eastern Hokkaido. The tanchō has pure white feathers, which are expressed in this print by a blind-printed (gauffrage or karazuri) pattern on the backs of both birds; the slight darkening on the feathers is oxidation from the white lead pigment originally used to heighten the white feathers. The deep gauffrage and white/gray pigmentation in the crane as well as the vivid printing indicates this is a deluxe, first state printing.