Ito Shinsui, "Morning at Kanbayashi"

Located north of Tokyo, Shinsui's travels in Shinano during World War II inspired him to create a series of woodblock prints of the region. In this rare, first-state printing Kanbayashi can be seen from atop a hill at sundown. The contrast of colors beautifully shows the shadows cast from a retreating sun. A marvelously vibrant work!

Series: Ten Sights of Shinano
Date: 1948
Size: Oban
Published by Watanabe Shozaburo
Condition: Some toning marks on border, otherwise excellent color and condition
Frame Shown: 16" x 24" x 1/2", Modern Metal, Walnut

Ito Shinsui (1898-1972) is one of Japan's most important artists to emerge from the shin-hanga era. Along with his good friend Hasui Kawase, Shinsui's woodblock prints, especially his bijin-ga (prints of beautiful women), are iconic in their form and beauty. Many of his landscapes document his time away from Tokyo during World War II.