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.

Ten Famous Places in Tokyo - In 1956, Takeji Asano self-published the series "Ten Famous Places in Tokyo," featuring views of famous temples and landmarks in Tokyo. Asano depicts the beauty of these sites in different seasons and weather condition, from a snowy winter day at Toshogu Shrine in Ueno Park to a spring afternoon along the Sumida River. Each print comes in the original folder with series title on the front and a viewing window inside. A paper label on the reverse describes the subject in Japanese (see example of folder front below). This is a rare Takeji Asano series, and to find the prints in their original folders as originally issued is extremely rare. A great opportunity for a collector interested in sosaku hanga.

Artist - Takeji Asano (1900 - 1999)

Image Size - 9 1/2" x 14 3/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Slight paper remnants on reverse at top corners from original publisher mounting. Please see photos for details. Excellent overall.