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.

Masao Maeda - Born on the island of Hokkaido, Masao Maeda studied with Hiratsuka Un'ichi, one of the leading artists of the sosaku hanga or creative prints movement. After moving to Tokyo in 1925, he studied Western-style painting along with printmaking before switching exclusively to woodblock prints in 1940. He is known for his striking landscapes prints, especially his mountain views, which feature bold black line work and sophisticated color. Maeda exhibited in Japan and internationally, and his works are in many museums collections, including the Boston Museum of Fine Art and the British Museum. His modern designs are a terrific choice for a collector interested in sosaku hanga woodblocks.

Artist - Masao Maeda (1904 - 1974)

Image Size - 6 5/8" x 9" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. A couple small creases at edge. Please see photos for details.