Ohno Bakufu "Squid (Mongo-ika)"

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 squid deploys a cloud of ink to conceal itself from a predator. The squid ink in the design appears to be applied by hand, but is actually impressed using a woodblock.

Series: Great Japanese Fish Picture Collection, Volume 5
Date: c. 1941
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, Walnut

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.