Black Ship Kuchi-e Print, 1895

by Tomioka Eisen (1864 - 1905)

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Black Ship Kuchi-e Print, 1895 by Tomioka Eisen (1864 - 1905)

Original Tomioka Eisen (1864 - 1905) Japanese Woodblock Print
Black Ship Kuchi-e Print, 1895

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 - Interesting kuchi-e scene of a man with a young foreign girl with curly red hair. She kneels beside him as she shoes him a rose, looking up with a sweet expression, her other hand on his leg. He smiles at her indulgently as leans back, one hand gripping his sword as it rests on the floor. A circular inset at left shows a "black ship," the name given to western vessels, sailing at night beneath a full moon, smoke from the stack drifting up across the sky. An intriguing design, nicely detailed, with embossed lines on the man's black kimono to indicate folds in the fabric. The first time we've seen this kuchi-e subject.

Artist - Tomioka Eisen (1864 - 1905)

Image Size - 8 3/4" x 11 1/8"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Vertical centerfold. Slight soiling, a few creases. Please see photos for details.

Black Ship Kuchi-e Print, 1895 by Tomioka Eisen (1864 - 1905)
Black Ship Kuchi-e Print, 1895 by Tomioka Eisen (1864 - 1905)

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