Japanese Woodblock Print, 1952, self published by Hashimoto

SIZE IN INCHES: dai-oban 23 x 17.5 inches

COMMENTS: Young Girl and Irises is considered to be one of Hashimoto's masterpieces.

OKIIE HASHIMOTO (1899-1993) was a Japanese sÅsaku-hanga (creative print) woodblock artist known for his prints of ancient Japanese structures such as castles and temples, traditional landscapes, and bijin (beauty) figure studies through lively colorful, modern, and abstract depictions. Today more than 25 years after his death, he remains one of Japan’s most renowned and respected woodblock printers, whose striking work pushed the boundaries of tradition in mid-twentieth century Japan.

Born in 1899, Hashimoto spent most of his life as an art teacher and assistant principle of the first girls’ high school in Tokyo. While teaching, he became a prominent member of the Yoyogi group (an iconic circle of woodblock printers) having attended Un’ichi Hiratsuka’s short course in woodblock printing. SÅsaku-hanga artists were involved in the printing process from inception of the idea to cutting and printing the image. This movement eliminated the jurisdiction of publishing houses over the production and final print for commercial consumption. SÅsaku-hanga artists created artwork as a means of intrinsic expression. The young artist also participated in Hiratsuka and other print artist’s collections of war-era depictions in the series Kitsutsuki hangashu as well as the collection of prints by 10 selected artists called Ichimokushu (First Thursday), 1943.

Today Hashimoto’s work is instantly recognisable through its bold use of colour and unique depiction of iconic Japanese scenes and landscapes. His work is included in the collections of The Art Institue of Chicago, The National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, Cleveland Museum of Art and Harvard University Art Museum among others.

VG, with flaws as shown