Japanese Woodblock Print, originated c.1920s, published by Nishinomiya; Yoshimoto Gesso signature at bottom right

SIZE IN INCHES: tanzaku, 3.5 x 14.5 inches

COMMENTS: From the series Japanese Scenes on Tanzaku. A classic Japanese motif of the full moon and cherry blossoms, here with the added elements of the moon's reflection in water and the distant silhouette of landscape under a night sky.

ABOUT NISHINOMIYA TANZAKU PRINTS: The following is quoted from Marc Kahn web page. Vertical, narrow prints are a by-product of traditional Japanese architecture, which offered very few solid wall surfaces. Many times, the only solid surface available for the hanging of pictures, were the structural posts which held up the roof. "Pillar prints" became a genre unto themselves and were referred to in Japanese as hashira-e or tanzaku.

The design of pleasing compositions within such a constrained format is a serious challenge for the artist. Yoshimoto Gesso and Shoda Koho, the artists who designed the prints in this series, have certainly risen to this challenge and produced a wide variety of wonderful designs.

Fine, no flaws