Japanese Woodblock Print, 2020, 1st edition, pencil titled, signed, dated and numbered 43/200 in the bottom margin, self published by Namiki Hajime

SIZE IN INCHES: shikishi, 12 x 12 inches

COMMENTS: Momijigari is the Japanese tradition of visiting areas where leaves have turned red in the autumn. The word comes from the two Japanese words momiji meaning "red leaves" or "maple tree" and kari, "hunting".

Namiki's prints must be seen in person to be fully appreciated. Photos do not do them justice. His woodcuts are printed over metallic foils and the print can dramatically change when viewed from different angles or in different light.

NAMIKI HAJIME was born in Tokyo in 1947. Under the guidance of Shigeru Ogura he began designing sculpture around 1965, and beginning in 1974 through 1978 he exhibited many of his sculpture pieces. By 1978 Namiki also began designing and printing woodblock prints. Mr. Namiki carves his own blocks and self prints each work using sosaku hanga methods. Most Namiki works are printed on gold or silver leaf, which enhances the impact of the image when it is viewed from different angles and in different lights. Namiki's earliest prints featured flowers, but as his oeuvre grew his primary subjects became trees, forests, Mt. Fuji and dragons. Mr. Namiki's work is highly informed by the work of Joichi Hoshi. Mr. Namiki's woodblock prints are found in the collection of the White House in Washington DC; and in numerous private collections.

VG, no flaws of note