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 - Attractive springtime view of Kurama Temple in Kyoto. A couple visitors climb the steep stone steps to the impressive entrance gate, where a single figure stands in the opening, dwarfed by the size of the beautiful building. Leafy green trees and flowering cherries frame the scene on either side, casting dappled shade over the stairs. A handsome design, nicely detailed and colored.
Publisher - Unsodo, with publisher's seal in left margin, later edition
Artist - Takeji Asano (1900 - 1999)
Image Size - 14 1/4" x 9 1/4" + margins as shown
Condition - Excellent overall with no issues to report.