Scenes of Last Tokyo - In 1945, Fugaku Shuppansha published a portfolio of 15 prints by nine different artists illustrating scenes of Tokyo. It is believed that the phrase "Last Tokyo" in the title was a typographical error that should have read "Lost Tokyo." Published a few months after Japan's surrender, many of the subjects depicted suffered damage or destruction during WWII. The images recall these important places that had so much history and meaning for Japan. The artists were all members of the Japanese Print Association working in the sosaku hanga or creative prints movement. This great series includes early designs by artists such as Junichiro Sekino and Kiyoshi Saito, who would go on to gain prominence in the sosaku hanga tradition. Rarely seen in the market, these prints are a great choice for a collector interested in modern Japanese woodblocks.

With Original Presentation Folder - This print comes in its original windowed presentation folder as issued by the publisher, with a paper label inside identifying the subject in English and Japanese. The print is attached on the reverse at the top corners to the folder. A nice opportunity to acquire one of these rare prints in the original presentation format.

Kiyoshi Saito - Kiyoshi Saito was one of the greatest masters of the "sosaku hanga" or "creative print" movement in Japan, which emphasized artist involvement in designing, carving, and printing the blocks himself, as the sole creator of his work. In 1951, Saito earned international recognition with an award at the first Sao Paulo Art Biennal. Saito is known for his use of simplified forms and refined color palettes, emphasizing texture and shape and utilizing the impression of the wood grain. These bold and somewhat abstract modern works are simple and direct, reducing nature to its essentials. Saito exhibited widely and his works are held in the collections of many international museums.

Artist - Onchi Koshiro (Japanese, 1891–1955)

Image Size - 7 1/8" x 9 1/2" + margins as shown; folder 11 1/2" x 14"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Light toning. Please see photos for details. Good overall.