Joichi Hoshi: Magnolia in Bloom (Kobushi) (Sold)

Artist: Joichi Hoshi (1913-1979)
Title: Magnolia in Bloom (Kobushi)
Date: 1977

Large, stunning portrait of a Magnolia tree in full bloom. The white blossoms explode against the background of silver/grey/green. This work was chosen as the cover image for the Japanese catalog “Joichi Hoshi: Catalogue of All Tree Woodblock Prints” (1988, Kato Gallery). Hoshi ‘s unique woodblock printing technique involved gold and silver leaf, layers of overprinting with oil paint, and burnishing the blocks with a flame.  As written by Tetsuro Murobushi in the aforementioned catalog: “The tip of the blowtorch in a white glow licks, scorches and chases here and there the bass-wood plate, already engraved with a knife, leaving long and deep, or sometimes short and shallow traces. As Hoshi said to his observer; ‘Scorching this way makes the carved edges naturally round and brings delicate shades to the prints’. Hoshi’s works are impossible to capture in photographs, as the light will reflect on the metallic layers  in a unique way from every angle.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. No foxing or mat burn. Unfaded. Two tape remnants, verso.
Dimensions: 64.2 x 63.7 cm (paper size)
Literature: See “Joichi Hoshi: Catalog of All Tree Woodblock Prints”, number 274 and cover image.
Seal: Artist’s seal
Signature: Joichi Hoshi

SKU: HOS069