Rain in Higashi-Honganji Temple Kyoto (1950s).
This original print by Takeji Asano (first published circa 1950’s) shows Kurama Temple, Kyoto, in the spring.
This particular print is most likely printed posthumously, after 2000 using the original woodblock sets from when the print was first published.
The print is in the Shin-Hanga (new prints) style.
The print is in the Large Oban format - approximately 24cm wide by 36 cm high, with additional margin space for the print title and seals of the publisher, carver, and printer.
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Born in Kyoto in 1900, Takeji studied arts at the Kyoto School of Painting, where he studied under Tsuchida Bakusen. Takeji became an active member of the sosaku hanga (creative prints) movement in Kyoto, where he became a leadinghis favourite subjects were landscapes.
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One of only two carvers responsible for work produced by Takeji Asano and Shiro Kasamatsu at the publish house Unsodo.
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No information has been found on Ichimura
Seal Information
Publisher
The publisher of this print - Unsodo - is identified by the ‘Unsodo Han’ new seal that appears mid way down the left hand margin of the print - the ‘new’ seal was used by the Unsodo Publishing company from 1999 onwards. The seal was validated using information from ‘The Seals of Unsodo Han - The Publisher’s Seals of Unsodo’ from www.ukiyoe-gallery.com/unsodohan.htm
Artist
The artist - Take Asano - is identified by the signature ‘Takeji’ that appears in the bottom left hand corner of the print. This signature was validated using information from the Ohmi Gallery (ohmigallery.com) by looking at another print - ‘Spring in Daigoji Temple’ where the artists signature is identified, and from the Ukiyo-e Signatures and Seals section of the www.artelono..com auction site.
Carver
The carver Okura (Ohkura) Hanbel is identified by the seal ‘horn (translates as carver) Okura’ that appears at the bottom left hand corner of the print outside the margin. The signature has been partially validated using information from ‘The Seals of Unsodo Han - The Publisher’s Seals of Unsodo’ from www.ukiyoe-gallery.com/unsodohan.htm
Printer
The printer - Ichimura -
Title
The title appears outside the margin in the top left hand corner of the print, and translates to ‘Kurama Temple in the Spring
