Spring in Kurama Temple.

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.

Note that the angled cut in the bottom right hand corner of the paper is to allow the printer to align the paper accurately in the different colour blocks used to build up the different colours in the print.

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.

 
 

  • 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.

  • One of only two carvers responsible for work produced byTakeji Asano and Shiro Kasamatsu at the publish house Unsodo.

  • No information has been found on Nakayama

 
 
 

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

Seal for Okura Hanbel

Printer

The printer - Nakayama - appears to be identified by a seal that appears in the middle of the print just outside the left hand margin. I have not been able to confirm that this seal actually identifies Nayakama as the printer.

Believed to be a close up of the seal of Nakayama - who printed this work.

Title

The title appears outside the margin in the top left hand corner of the print, and translates to ‘Kurama Temple in the Spring

Close up of the Japanese characters that form the title of the print - Kurama Temple in the Spring'