Yasuji Inoue - Born in Tokyo in 1864, Yasuji Inoue became a student of Kobayashi Kiyochika when he was fourteen. Drawing heavily on Kiyochika's style and experimentation with Western art elements, Inoue's concern with light and shadows reflected the influence of French Impressionism, a departure from traditional ukiyo-e. The resulting images had a distinctly modern feeling for the time. Inoue favored depictions of the urban, rapidly changing cityscape. Sadly, he died prematurely in 1889 at the age of twenty-five. At the time of his death he showed great promise in the woodblock print field and would have likely continued as a major artist in Japanese woodblock prints.

Comments - Handsome city view of Shintomi-cho in Tokyo with the newly built Shintomi Theater in the distance at center, the white building with a rooftop rising above the other structures. The Shintomi Theater burned down in 1876, and was replaced with a new building in 1878. Pedestrians share the street with rickshaws, and a carriage drawn by a horse is stopped along the edge of the road. Blossoming cherry trees and pines line the sidewalks. A handsome design.

Artist - Yasuji Inoue (1864 - 1889)

Image Size - 7 7/8" x 12 1/4"

Condition - This print with excellent detail as shown. Slight toning, a few small spots. Please see photos for details.