Iwata Sentaro: Ink Drawing and Published Print of a Couple with their Dog

Original pen and ink drawing with published book illustration print of the same design. We see a square-jawed man in a button-up shirt and tweed trousers holding a shovel, a woman wearing traditional kimono next to him. Her hair is in the wavy style of the 1930s-40s or so. They both have looks of somewhat detached concern. Their large, hound-like dog stands in front, looking up at them. There is one area of correction using whiteout in the robe of the woman. What are they digging for, one wonders?

Iwata Sentaro was a pioneer book illustrator whose work first appeared in 1920 for an entertainment magazine. He became a student of Shinsui Ito, and is also known for his bijin-ga images done in the 1960s and 1970s. His illustration work included the groundbreaking “Naruto Hicho” by Eiji Yoshikawa (1892-1962) and “Princess Snake” by Matsutaro Kawaguchi (1899-1985), as well as works for newspapers and novels. In 1954 Sentaro was awarded the Kikuchi Hiroshi award. There is actually a private museum in Tokyo that is dedicated to his work; Kindonichikan in Bunkyo ward.

Signed: Sentaro