Ohno Bakufu "Grey Mullet (Bora)"

Ohno Bakufu's 6 volume series, "Great Japanese Fish Picture Collection," contained a total of 72 woodblock prints produced from 1937-1941. Considered by collectors to be his seminal work and beloved for the preciseness of the recreations, the works from this series were meticulously printed, sometimes with mica embellishments.

In this very rare first-state printing, a Grey Mullet is set against beautiful swirls of water, with moss covered branches in the foreground. A thin layer of mica was applied to the printing of the fish (not seen in digital facsimile) for added realism.

Series: Great Japanese Fish Picture Collection, Volume 3
Date: 1939-40
Size: Oban
Publisher: Nishinomiya Shoin
Condition: First-state; fine color and condition, light mounting remnants verso top corners
Frame shown: 16" x 24" x 1/2" Modern Metal, Grey

Ohno Bakufu (1888-1976) was a painter who is well-regarded today for his still life and landscape themed woodblock prints. Best known for his "Great Japanese Fish Picture Collection" series produced in 1937-1941 in six volumes, of which the first editions are exceptionally rare, many of Bakufu's prints possess a distinctive style using vivid and rich colors.