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 - Beautiful winter scene of Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto, snow blanketing the rooftops, walkways, and the trees and bushes at right. One woman climbs the steps as another walks through the snow carrying her umbrella. A lovely design with the ornately detailed building towering impressively against the gray sky..

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.