Stepmother, Stepson, Volume I, 1913

by Hirezaki Eiho (1881 - 1970)

Current Status

Stepmother, Stepson, Volume I, 1913 by Hirezaki Eiho (1881 - 1970)

Original Hirezaki Eiho (1881 - 1970) Japanese Woodblock Print
Stepmother, Stepson, Volume I, 1913

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 from a novel about a woman who abandoned her husband and young son to move to America. After her American husband died and she inherited a large sum of money, she returned to Japan, offering financial support to her ex-husband's failing business in return for getting her son back. Her, she is shown riding a train shortly after her return, wearing eyeglasses with her hair pulled up into a soft style. She is fashionably dressed, wearing a white scarf around her neck over a striped kimono. An attractive design for Volume I of the novel "Stepmother, Stepson." Eiho was a prolific artist, illustrating about one hundred books, and creating drawings for newspapers and magazines. His woodblocks have a lovely painterly style, with delicate, fluid line work and muted colors. His romantic designs are perfectly suited to the Meiji and Taisho era women's novels they illustrate. A nice choice for a kuchi-e collector, detailed with embossing on the scarf.

Artist - Hirezaki Eiho (1881 - 1970)

Image Size - 6 5/8" x 4 1/8" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Slight toning and soiling, a couple small spots and creases. Please see photos for details.

Stepmother, Stepson, Volume I, 1913 by Hirezaki Eiho (1881 - 1970)
Stepmother, Stepson, Volume I, 1913 by Hirezaki Eiho (1881 - 1970)

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