Japanese Woodblock Print, 1960, 1st edition, self published, pencil signed, dated, and numbered 417/510

SIZE IN INCHES: oban, 13 x 17.5 inches

COMMENTS: Included in the book "The Modern Japanese Print, An Appreciation by James Michener.

YOSHITOSHI MORI (1898-1992) Truly a "son of Edo" and famous for his kappazuri stencil prints, which he did not start creating until well into his fifties, Mori spent the earlier part of his life as a successful textile designer and dyer, active in the mingei folk craft movement which advocated the use of historical folk crafts as the starting point for new craft production. His stencil prints draw from traditional Japanese subjects, portraying kabuki actors, courtesans, craftsmen, folk traditions and festivals, and figures from the classics such as The Tale of Genji and The Tale of Heike.

As his print work developed and became a vehicle for artistic expression rather than simply "craft", he came in conflict with leaders of the mingei movement, Yanagi Soetsu and Serizawa Keisuke, and he would abandon that movement to focus on his artistic stencil prints. He would become known as a major figure in the sosaku hanga (creative print) movement. In addition to his stencil prints he created paintings on glass, calligraphic works and a small number woodblock prints. His prints have been shown throughout the United States and internationally.

VG, with minor flaws as shown