Tsuchiya Koitsu - After moving to Tokyo at age fifteen, Koitsu studied for many years with the woodblock artist Kobayashi Kiyochika. Known for his beautiful landscape prints with a dramatic use of light and shade, Koitsu was one of the leaders of the shin-hanga or new print movement in 20th century Japan.

Comments - Lovely kacho-e or birds and flowers image of sparrows in flight above a snow-covered nandina bush, red berries peeking through the foliage. Snow falls through the softly shaded gray sky. According to the Koitsu catalog raisonne, although dated January 1940, this subject was likely never printed until after WWII, in the 1950s. The first time we've seen this attractive winter design.

Signed - Koitsu, with red artist's seal "shin" (true)
Publisher - Doi Hangaten, with publisher's seal in left margin
Carver/printer - Harada/Yokoi, seal in left margin

Artist - Tsuchiya Koitsu (1870 - 1949)

Image Size - 15 3/8" x 10" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Slight paper remnants on reverse at corners from previous mounting. Slight creasing and toning, a few spots and stains, a few small indented marks beneath top bird. Please see photos for details.