Plum Trees at Yoshino, 1958

by Shiro Kasamatsu (1898 - 1991)

Current Status

Plum Trees at Yoshino, 1958 by Shiro Kasamatsu (1898 - 1991)

Original Shiro Kasamatsu (1898 - 1991) Japanese Woodblock Print
Plum Trees at Yoshino, 1958

Shiro Kasamatsu - Born in Tokyo, Shiro began studying art at a young age with the painter Kaburagi Kiyokata. He completed his first woodblock designs for Watanabe Shozaburo in 1919 after the publisher saw his paintings on exhibit. Shiro designed shin-hanga prints for Watanabe for many years, becoming well known for his romantic landscapes of famous landmarks and his scenes of traditional Japanese life. From 1952 to 1960, he created more than one hundred woodblock designs for the Kyoto publisher Unsodo. He also experimented with sosaku hanga or creative prints starting in the late 1950s, carving and printing his own designs. Shiro is regarded as one of the top shin-hanga woodblock print artists in Japan.

Comments - Striking evening view of a traditional farmhouse seen through the branches of flowering plum trees. The white blossoms create a sharp contrast with the black night sky and the shadowy tones of the building. An intriguing design with a distinctly modern feeling.

Signed - Shiro Kasamatsu in English in margin (with chop), in Japanese with red "Shiro" artist's seal within image
Publisher - Unsodo, with publisher's seal in left margin, later edition from original blocks

Artist - Shiro Kasamatsu (1898 - 1991)

Image Size - 14 3/8" x 9 5/8" + margins as shown

Condition - Excellent overall with no issues to report.

Plum Trees at Yoshino, 1958 by Shiro Kasamatsu (1898 - 1991)
Plum Trees at Yoshino, 1958 by Shiro Kasamatsu (1898 - 1991)