Takamizawa's Taisho era Reprints - With the increase in Western visitors to Japan in the first quarter of the 20th century and the interest in the Edo era woodblock print tradition, some of the best publishing houses began to release high quality reprints of the most famous ukiyo-e designs. Founded in 1911, the Takamizawa Publisher of Tokyo produced some of the highest quality ukiyo-e woodblock reprints of all time. Drawing on the traditions and methods of the Edo era, the company created reprints with the utmost care and great attention to detail, masterfully reproducing color, line work, and even wood grain detail in some cases. 

This print was published during the Taisho era (1911 - 1925), and features a Takamizawa seal on the reverse. Takamizawa's Taisho era prints are considered to be some of the finest reprints ever done. Today, these lovely old prints are sought after by collectors. This is a fantastic early release by Takamizawa and a great choice for a collector interested in classic ukiyo-e images.

Comments - A beautiful old woodblock reprint of Utamaro's famous Awabe Divers subject. This fantastic triptych design is most definitely one of the great masterworks of ukiyo-e and one of the finest Japanese art designs of all time. Five beautiful women on a rocky embankment at the water diving for clams in search of pearls. In the center panel, a young beauty combing her hair. A tie-dyed kimono over her shoulders falling away from her breasts, a little boy suckling at her breast. Utamaro's design is classic in his rendition of women. He captures the exotic beauty, playful nature and lovely usefulness of the five women in this stunning work.

Artist - Utamaro (1750 - 1806)

Image Size - 15 1/2" x 29 1/2" + margins as shown

Condition - With excellent color and detail as shown. Three panels, not attached at the seams. Faint spotting, mainly in center panel. Slight creasing at edges. Please see photos for details.