Morita Kako: Full Moon and Flowing River

Artist: Morita Kako (dates unknown, but ca. 1870-1930)
Title: Bucolic Landscape with Full Moon and Waterwheel  Date: ca. 1910s

Small but evocative scene of a full moon rising above a bucolic scene of a traditional thatched building with a waterwheel, and a flowing river whose ripples reflect the moonlight. This work punches above its size in terms of its charm. Water wheels were used for both irrigation and grain processing, among other uses. The hazy glow of the background trees is very effective as well. It is always interesting to see the Kokkeido seal on shin hanga, and it is helpful in dating the work to the early 20th century. Morita Kako was a nihonga artist who designed both Russo-Japanese war prints and kacho-e (bird-and-flower) prints in the early 20th century. Morita is often confused with the better-known nihonga artist Tsuji Kako, who was a painter, and who lived and worked during the same period as Morita. 

Condition: Excellent impression and color; very good condition. Area of minor discoloration in sky. Dimensions: ko-tanzaku (25.7 x 12 cm)

Signature: Kakô  Publisher: Akiyama Buemon (Kokkeido)

SKU: KKO011