Japanese Woodblock Print, 1942, published by Uchida from the series Eight Views of Tokyo

SIZE IN INCHES: chuban, 11 x 8.25 inches

COMMENTS: A WWII view of an industrial area along the Sumida River, softened with the presence of the kimono-clad woman with parasol on the left and the sailboats on the river. In the first half of 1942, around the time this print was produced, Japan reached the height of her power, but also suffered the first air raids on Tokyo and her first major defeats, e.g. Battle of Midway, in the latter half of the year.

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