Kasamatsu Shiro: Bonfire in the Forest (Sold)

Artist: Kasamatsu Shiro (1898-1991)
Title: Bonfire (Takibi)
Date: 1959

A deserted fire creates a cloud of smoke that wafts upward; it is glimpsed amidst a forest of vertical tree trunks. The Japanese title is “Bonfire” (Takibi), but it seems to be a campfire. Between 1955 and 1965 Kasamatsu produced about 80 self-carved and self-printed designs, as here. This followed a collaboration with the publisher Watanabe Shozaburo between 1919 and the late 1940s. “Kasamatsu ventured out on his own, carving, printing, and selling his prints. In doing so, he followed the credo of the sôsaku hanga ("creative print": 創作版画) movement — jiga, jikoku, jizuri ("self-painted [drawn or designed], self-carved, self-printed": 自画 自刻 自摺).” Titled, dated and signed by the artist in pencil, lower margin. There may have been a number in pencil at left that has been rubbed out (”47”).

Condition: Very good impression and color. Good condition. Toning to margins and paper remnant along left edge.
Dimensions: 40 x 28.7 cm
Publisher: Self-printed
Signature: Shiro Kasamatsu. 

SKU: SHC024S