Takeji Asano - Born in Kyoto, Takeji Asano worked in both the shin-hanga and sosaku hanga Japanese woodblock print traditions. He studied Western and Japanese painting, and became interested in woodblock prints after taking a class with Hiratsuka Un'ichi, one of the founders of the sosaku hanga or creative print movement. In 1929, he helped form the Kyoto Creative Print Society. After WWII, he created many woodblocks of scenery and famous sites in and around Kyoto in various seasons. In addition to designing shin-hanga series for Uchida and Unsodo, he also published his own works. His colorful sosaku hanga woodblocks, self-carved and self-printed, have a real graphic appeal, with bold line work, sweeping views, and handsome compositions. Asano's prints are a great choice for the modern collector, and make attractive framed displays.
Comments - Handsome view of Shinnyodo Temple in Japan on a rainy day, a few women with umbrellas strolling along the stone pathway, dwarfed by the tall tower. Raindrops fall straight down through the gray sky beneath dark clouds. An attractive, atmospheric design.
Publisher - Unsodo, later edition from original blocks
Artist - Takeji Asano (1900 - 1999)
Image Size - 14 1/4" x 9 3/8" + margins as shown
Condition - Excellent overall with no issues to report.
