Shiro Kasamatsu, "Spring Evening in Ginza"

A rare and marvelous urban scene showing the world famous Ginza shopping district in Tokyo on a Spring evening. In the back and left is the famous Mitsukoshi department store, which still stands to this day. A street vendor's cart casts its light on the ground below. A real gem by Shiro Kasamatsu, this rare early edition woodblock print is beautifully detailed and exquisitely printed.

Date: 1938
Size: Oban
Early edition (6mm seal)
Published by Watanabe Shozaburo
Condition: Excellent/fine color and condition
Frame Shown: 16" x 24" x 1/2", Classic Wood, Ebony

Shiro Kasamatsu (1898-1991) began his artistic career during the shin-hanga period and would go on to produce some of Japan's most recognizable woodblock prints. Starting in second-half of the 20th century, Shiro would go on to carve, print, and publish his own prints, making him an influential artist in the sosaku-hanga movement as well.