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 Shinsui portrait of a beauty dressed in a nagajuban or long undergarment worn beneath a kimono, combing the back of her hair. The robe features an embossed tie-dyed pattern with a blue print collar, tied with a striped obi that repeats the black of the hair. This subject was included in the groundbreaking 1930 "A Special Exhibition of Modern Japanese Prints" at the Toledo Museum of Art. A charming design from an early limited edition of 100, with seal numbered 87/100 on reverse (see photo below).
Publisher - Watanabe, with publisher's seal "Copyright Watanabe Shozaburo" in left margin

Artist - Ito Shinsui (1898 - 1972)

Image Size - 16 1/4" x 10" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Diagonal fold across upper left, creasing at edges, a couple small marks, signature slightly smeared. Please see photos for details.