Yamagishi Kazue: Niomon Temple Gate in Nikko in Snow (SOLD)

Artist:  Yamagishi Kazue (1891-1984)
Title: Niomon Temple Gate in Nikko in Snow   Date: Ca. 1929

Snow-laden pines line the path towards the stone steps that lead to Niomon Temple Gate in in the ancient city of Nikko. Our eyes are magnetized to the brilliant red structure, which is the stunning focus of this snowscape. The snow has been rendered with areas of gofun, the white colorant made from seashells that give a wonderful simulation of heavy snow. The Niomon Gate forms the entrance to Taiyun Temple, the mausoleum of Iemitsu, the thirtd Tokugawa Shogun. Kazue Yamagishi was a versatile artist: after studying Western-style painting and sculpture, he started as a woodblock carver, and he became one of the best, carving woodblocks (in a variety of styles) for many artists, including Yumeji, Kiyokata, Hiroshi Yoshida, Paul Jacoulet and Kôshirô Onchi. His self-designed prints were landscape prints and include the series One hundred views of Japan, One hundred views of East Asia & One hundred views of the world, all done before WWII. Between 1926 and 1929 he was sent by the Ministry of Education to travel the USA and Europe in order to demonstrate woodblock printing techniques. 

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. On heavy, deluxe paper. Area of very minor surface soil on edge of margin. Dimensions: 34.2 x 42.2 cm (paper size)
Signature:  Kazue

SKU: KZC012S