Originally offered at $300...

Gihachiro Okuyama (Japanese, 1907-1981). Three woodblock prints, Showa Period, ca. 1950s, each has Okuyama's artist stamp. A wonderful trio of Sumizuri-e woodblock prints by mid-century Japanese artist Gihachiro Okuyama. One woodblock depicts people arriving ashore via ferry. The ferry crossing is called the Yagiri no Watashi and has connected Shibamata and Matsudo city in Chiba prefecture for the past 400 years. This scene is one of the 100 Landscapes of Japan that represented Japan during the Heisei era. The idyllic atmosphere is largely credited to the 1906 novel from Sachio Ito entitled Nogiku no Haka (The Wild Daisy) which was made into movies in 1955, 1966 and in 1981. The other two scenes present workers in the picturesque rice fields, one with figures crossing a bridge. Okuyama's technique of monochromatic woodblock printing (only using black ink) is the earliest type of Japanese woodblock printing and dates all the way back to the Nara period (710-794). A lovely ensemble, set in matching framing under glass. Size: 7.875" L x 12.625" W (20 cm x 32.1 cm) framed

Gihachiro Okuyama studied art under Kasaka Gajin and was active in both the Sosaka Hanga and Shin Hanga movements. Okuyama established the Japan Print Institute (Nihon Hanga Kenkyusho) in 1946 and created beautiful woodblock prints like these examples for the rest of his life.

Provenance: ex-private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection

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#172189

All are set in matching frames under glass. Minor scuffs to the frames as shown. Artist's chop is visible in each woodblock print. These woodblocks have not been examined outside the frames, but appear to be in very good condition save some expected toning and waviness. Old labels and identifications on verso as shown.