The Kuchi-e Tradition - Kuchi-e prints are woodblock frontispiece illustrations used in the publication of Japanese novels and magazines around the turn of the 20th century. Most kuchi-e prints were illustrations of bijin and continued the tradition of idealized beauties in Japanese art. The subjects, however, have a decidedly Meiji era feel about them and reflect the artistic movement towards more western design. Kuchi-e prints typically have one or two folds because of their use.

Much interest has been generated in the subject since the publication of Helen Merritt and Nanako Yamada's book, "Woodblock Kuchi-e Prints: Reflections of Meiji Culture." Kuchi-e prints have become highly sought after and collected by the serious collector.

Comments - Attractive design of a beauty taking part in a wooden bullfinch exchange, part of a festival at certain shrines each January. Visitors took carved wooden bullfinches to the shrines, where attendants exchanged them for new ones, casting off last year's lies and bringing good luck for the New Year. She looks down with a pensive expression as she picks up a bird from a shelf, the drapery above featuring the stylized plum crest of the Tenmangu shrines. She wears a violet outer robe over an olive green checked kimono, a fashionable Western pink feather boa draped around her neck. A lovely illustration for the novel "Wooden Bullfinch Exchange" (Usogae), nicely detailed with burnishing on the hair. This image appears on page 150 of Merritt and Yamada's book, "Woodblock Kuchi-e Prints: Reflections of Meiji Culture."

Artist - Toshikata (1866 - 1908)

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

Condition - This print with nice color and detail as shown. Horizontal folds. A few faint spots. Please see photos for details.