Kiyochika 清親: Umewaka Shrine 梅若神社

Artist: Kobayashi Kiyochika 清親 (1847-1915)
Title: Umewaka Shrine 梅若神社
Date: Ca. 1880 (Meiji 13)

A woman braces her umbrella against the rain and a man waits out the storm next to his jinriksha in this view of the Umewaka Shrine. He crouches next to a sign for the jinriksha station, which reads “Jinricksa” (人力車). There are no black keyblock outlines used in this work, which feels strikingly modern and innovative and must have required utmost mastery from the carvers and printers. This no-keyblock style seems to directly presage some of the techniques and designs utilized by Kawase Hasui, especially for some of his snow and rain scenes. A beautiful, clean print with large margins and bright colors.

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition.
Dimensions: ôban horizontal (25 x 36.4 cm)
Publisher: Fukada Kumajirô
Literature: See Kiyochika: Artist of Meiji Japan by Henry Smith (1988), fig. 38.
Signature: Kobayashi Kiyochika hitsu

SKU: KYC356