Early Spring in Fushimi, Kyoto, 1953

by Takeji Asano (1900 - 1999)

Current Status

Early Spring in Fushimi, Kyoto, 1953 by Takeji Asano (1900 - 1999)

Original Takeji Asano (1900 - 1999) Japanese Woodblock Print
Early Spring in Fushimi, Kyoto, 1953

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.

Comments - Fantastic early spring scene in Fushimi, Kyoto, of enormous wooden vats lined up in a factory courtyard. A worker in an apron stands at the rear, giving a sense of scale to the large barrels tied with rope. A plum tree dotted with blossoms juts over the tiled roof at right, while the other trees in the distance are still bare. A bold, dramatic perspective view, with beautiful architectural detail in the carefully rendered structures. A terrific design with a lovely muted color palette. A wonderful choice to collect or display.

Publisher - Unsodo, with publisher's seal in left margin, later edition

Artist - Takeji Asano (1900 - 1999)

Image Size - 14 1/4" x 9 3/8" + margins as shown

Condition - Excellent overall with no issues to report.

Early Spring in Fushimi, Kyoto, 1953 by Takeji Asano (1900 - 1999)
Early Spring in Fushimi, Kyoto, 1953 by Takeji Asano (1900 - 1999)