The Kuchi-e Tradition - Kuchi-e prints are woodblock frontispiece illustrations used in the publication of Japanese novels and magazines around the turn of the 20th century. Most kuchi-e prints were illustrations of bijin and continued the tradition of idealized beauties in Japanese art. The subjects, however, have a decidedly Meiji era feel about them and reflect the artistic movement towards more western design. Kuchi-e prints typically have one or two folds because of their use.

Much interest has been generated in the subject since the publication of Helen Merritt and Nanako Yamada's book, "Woodblock Kuchi-e Prints: Reflections of Meiji Culture." Kuchi-e prints have become highly sought after and collected by the serious collector.

Comments - Lovely image of a pensive young beauty in a cotton kimono, surrounded by poppy buds and blooms. An extremely fine printing with outstanding details such as black overprinting to create the hairlines and blind embossing to create a delicate cloth pattern over the entire background. This is a reprint of an image that originally appeared as a kuchi-e (book frontispiece) around 1913. A beautiful woodblock that would make a lovely framed presentation. Published in 1977 by Sodosha in Tokyo.

Artist - Kiyokata Kaburagi (1886 - 1972)

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

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Slight thinning and a few light creases at right corners from original publisher mounting. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.