Japanese Woodblock Print, c.1970s, self published.

SIZE IN INCHES: shikishi, 10.25 x 11.5 inches

COMMENTS: Japanese Artists have long been fascinated by the women divers (Ama) who dive in the cold waters of Japan for abalone (in Japanese -- Awabi), oysters and other seafoods.

TOKURIKI TOMIKICHIRO'S (1902-2000) woodblock prints are an important bridge between the two great movements of Japanese art in the early twentieth century; shin hanga and sosaku hanga. Like the classic shin hanga masters of the day, Tokuriki designed many woodcuts of landscapes and city views in the traditional manner. Yet he actively promoted sosaku-hanga (creative prints) in Kyoto, which emphasized the artist's participation in the entire process of printmaking and the exploration of more modern styles and trends.

After WWII Tokuriki set up his own publishing company called Matsukyu and began to teach block-carving to artisans and artists, many of them foreigners. He also wrote extensively on the technique of woodblock carving and printing. He traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe and in the 1960s he opened several exhibitions of his works in major U.S. cities such as, New York, Chicago, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

VG, no flaws of note