Koitsu: Entrance to a Teahouse in Yotsuya, Araki-cho 四ツ谷荒木横町 (First Edition)

Artist: Tsuchiya Kōitsu (1870-1949)
Title: Yotsuya Araki Yokocho 四ツ谷荒木横町  Series: Tokyo Fukei Date: 1935 

Entrance to a teahouse in Yotsuya, Araki-cho. It is evening and we see two beauties in kimono, one exiting a traditional teahouse and one saying her goodbyes in the entryway. Against the screen above we se the silhouette of another woman. A warm and inviting glow emanates from the establishment and casts shadows onto the passageway (an alley, or yokochô). This scene is timeless, with no hints of modern architecture or dress to place the work in the 20th century. It is hard to believe that this is an alley in Shinjuku in Tokyo, now an area famous for its skyscrapers and crowds. Please note that due to the popularity of this design that there are very recent (Reiwa) editions of this work that bear a poor copy of this first edition (Doi Sadaichi) seal. Note that the paper, the colors, the quality of the printing and the seals are all very different in that reproduction edition, and that the reproduction work lacks the depth of this original, prewar edition, which was printed 90 years ago. This work also has the Tokyo Fukei seal. Also contains the “Do” watermark, upper left corner. Never framed, unusual to find in this edition and condition.

Publisher: Doi Sadaichi

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. Mint.
Dimensions: ôban (39.8 x 26.3 cm)  Signature: Koitsu

Reference: Walker & Doi Koitsu Catalogue Raisonné TK-DH-18.

SKU: KOI027