Beauty from the Showa Era: Early Spring, 1931

by Ito Shinsui (1898 - 1972)

Current Status

Beauty from the Showa Era: Early Spring, 1931 by Ito Shinsui (1898 - 1972)

Original Ito Shinsui (1898 - 1972) Japanese Woodblock Print
Beauty from the Showa Era: Early Spring, 1931

Ito Shinsui - Born in Tokyo, Ito Shinsui studied Japanese painting and began designing woodblock prints for the publisher Watanabe Shozaburo in 1916, with whom he collaborated until 1960. He is best known for his lovely shin-hanga images of beautiful women. These elegant and refined beauties are drawn with graceful line work and softly colored backgrounds. Recognized for his artistic achievements, the Japanese government declared Shinsui an "Intangible Cultural Property" in 1952, and he received the "Order of the Rising Sun" in 1970. His works are a wonderful choice to collect or display.

Comments - Beautiful portrait of a stylishly dressed modern young woman. She wears a blue cap adorned with a small pin, and has a fur stole wrapped around her shoulders, the animal's yellow eyes just peeking above the fur. She wears a blue-gray coat and carries a red clutch purse under her arm. This lovely image was issued as a special insert by the Jiji Newspaper Company in a limited edition of around 150 prints to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the company's founding. A rare woodblock print and a nice subject for a shin-hanga collector interested in modern beauty prints.

Artist - Ito Shinsui (1898 - 1972)

Image Size - 13 7/8" x 9 1/2" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with nice color and detail as shown. Horizontal centerfold. Stain and creasing at edges, a couple small spots on face. Please see photos for details.

Beauty from the Showa Era: Early Spring, 1931 by Ito Shinsui (1898 - 1972)
Beauty from the Showa Era: Early Spring, 1931 by Ito Shinsui (1898 - 1972)

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