Yoshikawa Kanpo - Born in Kyoto, Yoshikawa Kanpo created a small number of woodblock prints for the publisher Sato Shotaro around 1922 to 1924. Notably, he was one of the first Kyoto artists to design shin hanga actor prints, and his beautiful images featuring muted tones and more rounded features reflect the "wagoto" style of kabuki acting popular in the Kamigata region. In contrast to the rough "aragato" style popular in Tokyo, the "wagoto" style favored in Kyoto and Osaka was more refined and gentle. Kanpo produced only a very limited number of prints until 1925, after which he created only paintings on commission. His perceptive, sensitive kabuki portraits are quite rare and highly sought after. A great choice for a kabuki enthusiast or shin hanga collector.

Narikomaya as Kamiji from the Scene Kawasho - Fantastic kabuki portrait of Narikomaya (Nakamura Ganjiro I) as Kamiji in the scene "Kawasho" from the play "Shinju Ten no Amijima." Here, Kamiji looks suspiciously to the side, his eyes narrowed with simmering anger, lips firmly closed as he looks to the side. A striped cloth covers his head, and he wears a blue coat with a diamond pattern over his striped gray kimono. A wonderfully expressive image, enhanced by a dark mica background. A fantastic design by this rarely seen artist, who did no more woodblocks after 1925. This subject was part of the groundbreaking exhibit of modern Japanese woodblocks at the Toledo Museum of Art in 1930. A fine first edition print from the original limited edition of 200, with seal on reverse (see below).

Signed - Drawn by Kanpo, Kyoto
Publisher - Sato Shotaro, Kyoto, with red "Sato Shotaro han" publisher's seal within image

Artist - Yoshikawa Kanpo (1894 - 1979)

Image Size - 15 1/2" x 10 1/2" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Slight toning, a few creases and spotting at edges, faint spotting on face. Please see photos for details.