Japanese Print "Benten Shrine in Nezumigaseki Negumigaseki" by Yoshida Hiroshi

Title:Benten Shrine in Nezumigaseki Negumigaseki

Date:Not set

Source:Japanese Art Open Database
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Description:

Sunday, 19 August 2007 A fine example of 20th-century printmaking by the Japanese master of the "shin hanga" movement, Hiroshi Yoshida. This woodblock, entitled "Benten Shrine in Nezumigaseki" [Nezugaseki], was first published by him in 1939 and depicts a group standing before a reflecting pool. A classic Yoshida image, as he was particularly known for his facility in depicting the subtleties of reflections and movement in water. The signature "Yoshida" above the seal "Hiroshi" appears at the lower right corner of the image. The title and his pencil signature in English, characteristic of his prints which were destined for export to the Western world, are positioned respectively at the lower left and right corners of the bottom margin as shown. The significant brown jizuri or "self-printed" seal shows faintly at the upper left margin as I attempted to show in the attached photograph. The faintness of that seal and of the English title, as well as the subtle coloration of the image when compared with other published examples, leads me to believe that there may have been some fading to this print. Although I attempted to capture the color as accurately as possible, please note that the photos of the framed print are a few degrees darker than reality; the unframed image is a bit closer. The frame, appropriately simple, light wood with a narrow black wood filet, bears an old label and original backing paper from a Chehalis, Washington establishment; given that the telephone number has only 2 digits, it appears that this was framed many years ago. I debated as to whether I should remove it from the frame, decided in the affirmative and was pleased to find that the print was not glued to the backing. There is a small label affixed to the lower left corner on the reverse, as shown: "H. Takemura & Co., 45 Bentendori, Yokohama, Japan". Some records I was able to trace dated his establishment as being active ca. 1926-1939. A old American advertising poster had been cut down to use as a cardboard stiffener within the frame and this is also illustrated. Fortunately, there is only a bit of minor darkening along the upper left side of the print. When seen in raking light, one can view a slight soft fold to the upper left corner, which I have tried to illustrate also, but this is not an impediment to the effect of the overall image and is difficult to discern under glass. The overall measurement of the print with frame is approximately 11 1/2" w. x 16 5/8" h. Unframed, it is approximately 10 5/8" w. x 15 5/8" h.

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