Kishio Koizumi: Mount Fuji and Skiers 不二山とスキー (SOLD)

Artist: Kishio Koizumi (1893-1945)
Title: Mount Fuji and Skiers 不二山とスキー   Date: 1942

Series: Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, the Holy Mountain 聖峰富岳三十六景の内

We are on Mount Fuji, gazing up at the peak from its snowy shoulders; two skiers are seen making their way down a mini slope in the foreground. In a diagonal swath across most of the print and against the blue sky rise misty clouds. The clouds have been printed using a slightly shimmery and somewhat opaque colorant that has been applied with great skill. The clouds against the blue sky are also creatively applied. Most of the mountain also has a very soft grey block, and where gaps have been carved indicate the natural indentations. There are paper indentations along two of the slope lines that must have been blindprinted. We don’t often get such a close-up view of the great mountain, and seeing the skiers in period costume is also a treat.

It’s not surprising that Mount Fuji is the subject of this wartime series, as it had long existed as a unifying symbol of the country, and during wartime it was also used to promote nationalism. Print artists during the war would have had to align themselves with national goals in order for paper and print-making supplies to be allocated to them. Today we only see the creativity and not the politics of these scenes capturing the beautiful mountain.

This is from the first edition, with the title series and date and pencil signature in the right margin. Although these works rarely come to market, there may exist later editions without the information in the right margin, and there exists one example without the kanji signature next to the artist’s seal.  Koizumi began designing this series in 1940, and he completed 23 of the planned prints when he relocated to his in-laws’ home in Saitama, outside of Tokyo, in 1945. He passed away on December of 1945.  Koizumi was one of only two sosaku hanga artists (the other being Hiratsuka) to have received extensive training in woodblock carving from a professional block-carver.

Dimensions: 30.5 x 39.5 cm  Condition: Excellent impression and color. Very good/excellent condition. A few minor wrinkles, mostly in margin.

SKU: KZK018