Three-faced Guardian Deity

by Kihei Sasajima (1906 - 1993)

Current Status

Three-faced Guardian Deity by Kihei Sasajima (1906 - 1993)

Original Kihei Sasajima (1906 - 1993) Japanese Woodblock Print
Three-faced Guardian Deity

Tokyo Contemporary Collection - This print is from a large group of contemporary prints we recently purchased in Tokyo. With designs from a range of artists, including some famous and rare designs, this is the largest group of contemporary Japanese prints we have ever offered.

Comments - Kihei Sasajima - In the mid-1930s, Kihei Sasajima studied woodblock printmaking with both Un'ichi Hiratsuka and Shiko Munakata, both masters of the sosaku hanga or creative prints movement. Like them, he is considered a master of modern black and white Japanese woodblock prints. His bold designs feature expressive, heavy black line work, with angular shapes creating almost abstract patterns. For some of his prints, he forces thin, dampened paper into the woodblock, creating heavy ridges showing the chisel strokes in the wood. The raised ridges are then separately inked. This method results in three-dimensional images reproducing the texture of the carving itself. On other works where he uses color, he applies paint to the back of the print, which soaks through to the front, creating muted tones with an interesting textural effect. Each features the artist's red seal. Sasajima's prints have a lively, energetic quality, and are a great choice for a collector interested in sosaku hanga woodblocks.

Artist - Kihei Sasajima (1906 - 1993)

Image Size - 11 5/8" x 8 3/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Small hole in margin, repaired. Slight toning and wrinkling, faint stain at corner. Please see photos for details. Good overall.

Three-faced Guardian Deity by Kihei Sasajima (1906 - 1993)
Three-faced Guardian Deity by Kihei Sasajima (1906 - 1993)

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