Sosaku Hanga - The sosaku hanga or creative print movement in Japan began in the early part of the twentieth century. Unlike the traditional collaborative woodblock printing process utilizing a separate artist, carver, and printer along with a publisher, the sosaku hanga movement emphasized artist involvement in designing, carving, and printing the blocks himself, as the sole creator of his work. The movement gained popularity following World War II, earning international acclaim and expanding subject matter to include abstraction. Today most contemporary Japanese print artists design, carve, and print their woodblocks themselves, continuing the vibrant creative tradition established with ukiyo-e. Sosaku hanga prints encompass a wide range of subjects and expressive artistic styles, and are a great choice for a collector interested in modern and contemporary prints.

Yamagishi Kazue - Yamagishi Kazue was a highly skilled block carver and an artist in his own right. A proponent of the sosaku hanga or creative prints movement, he helped found the Nihon Hanga Kyokai, and traveled throughout Europe and the United States from 1926 - 1929 demonstrating woodblock technique under the aegis of the Ministry of Education. He carved blocks for many noted artists, including Hiroshi Yoshida, Paul Jacoulet, and Takehisa Yumeji. He did several major series featuring views of the world as well as of his native Japan, mostly before WWII. His beautiful landscapes feature lovely gradations of color and delicate line work, a testament to his remarkable carving skills. These wonderful designs have a very soft and painterly appearance. A great choice for a sosaku hanga collector.

Artist - Yamagishi Kazue (1833 - 1966)

Image Size - 11 1/4" x 14 1/4" + margins as shown

Condition - With excellent color and detail. Some faint soiling. Please see photos for details.