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.

Eight Noted Places in Kyoto - Charming design from Takeji Asano's series "Eight Noted Places in Kyoto," published by Unsodo. The series features two prints for each of the four seasons, with views of famous shrines and temples in the Kyoto area. A lovely group of small shin-hanga designs that would make attractive framed displays.

Artist - Takeji Asano (1900 - 1999)

Image Size - 4 5/8" x 6 3/4" + margins as shown

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