Japanese Woodblock Print, 1930s, published by Iida Kunitaro, printer: Sakakura; extremely early edition with wood grain visible in the sky area. Koitsu prints published by Iida Kunitaro are a rarity that are not often seen.

SIZE IN INCHES: 10.5 x 15.25 inches

TSUCHIYA KOITSU (1870-1949) was born in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka prefecture. At the age of 15 he came to Tokyo and be came a pupil of a woodblock engraver, Matsuzaki. As Matsuzuaki worked for Kobayashi Kiyochika (the finest landscape woodcut artist of Meiji Japan), Koitsu became known to Kiyochika, became his pupil, and lived in his home as a member of his family for 19 years. Becoming acquainted with Watanabe on the occasion of the exhibition held in memory of the 17th anniversary of the death of Kiyochika, he commenced making color prints of many places in Japan, carrying on Kiyochika's tradition. His prints, which are often characterized by dramatic use of light, were also published by Takemura, Kawaguchi and Doi.

VG, light backing with repairs