Discover How Japanese Print Makers Impacted Modern Art
This week’s Japanese woodblock print sale presents a unique collection of colorful pieces. With this array of 19th-21st century woodblock prints, bidders can discover how Japanese print makers impacted the development of modern art. Featuring names like Hiroshige and Yoshida, this sale reveals nuanced techniques and traditional Japanese values mixing contemporary pieces with more vintage works.
One of the contemporary works in this sale is by Daniel Kelly, an American artist based in Kyoto, Japan. He created Ebisu (God of Fishermen) in 2011.
Daniel Kelly, ‘Ebisu’ (God of Fishermen), 2011, Japanese woodblock and kimono fabric on handmade Thai paper. Estimate: $1,200-$1,500
Hiroaki Takahashi (Shotei) was the first artists to be signed under Watanabe Shozaburo. He also prdouced and exhibited original paintings and worked as an illustrator of scientific textbooks, magazines, and newspapers. His print of a cat titled Tama first appeared in 1924; the print edition in this auction was published circa 1946-1957.
Hiroaki Takahashi (Shotei), ‘Tama,’ 1924, edition circa 1946-57, series: ‘Japanese scenes on Tanzaku.’ Estimate: $800-$1,200
Torii Ktondo was trained in the tradition of kabuki actor portraits and translated this training into his famous portraits of beautiful women. An example, titled Rain (Ame), is included in this auction. The winning bidder of this lot will receive a free bonus print of Daikokuya poem slips.
Torii Kotondo, ‘Rain’ (Ame), 1929, later limited edition of 100 prints, circa 1980s, published by Ishukankokai. Estimate: $200-$300
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (Taiso) was a Japanese artist often considered the last great master of the ukiyo-e movement of woodblock printing and painting. The term ukiyo-e translates to “pictures of the floating world” and refers to a genre of Japanese art with a wide span of imagery such as kabuki actors, folk tales, landscapes, or even erotica. This movement was critical in forming the Western perception of Japanese art.
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, ‘A New Selection of Eastern Brocade Pictures,’ 1886, Oban diptych, published by Tsunashima. Estimate: $1,500-$1,800
Utagawa Yoshifuji’s depiction of the renowned fight between Ushiwakamaru (better known as Minamoto Yoshitsune) and the monk Benkei is one of the highlights of this sale. The diptych, printed in 1854, comes with a preliminary drawing of the right panel. Yoshifuji specialized in pictures of warriors, and also illustrated children’s books.
Utagawa Yoshifuji, ‘Minamoto Yoshitsune Fighting Benkei on Gojo Bridge,’ 1854, Oban diptych, signed ‘Ipposai Yoshifuji ga.’ Estimate: $2,000-$2,500
Utagawa Yoshitora was a designer of ukiyo-e Japanese woodblock prints and an illustrator of books and newspapers who was active from about 1850 to about 1880. In the print Pictures for the 53 Stations of Tokaido, he complements the illustration with calligraphy.
Utagawa Yoshitora, ‘Calligraphy and Pictures for the 53 Stations of the Tokaido,’ 1872, Oban tate-e, signed ‘Yoshitora’ with artist seal, publisher’s seal: Sawamura Seikichi. Estimate: $1,500-$1,800
Register now to bid in this week’s dynamic Japanese woodblock prints auction.
