Japanese Woodblock Print, 1938 first edition, Takemura Hideo (Yokahama 1926-39). Signed and sealed Hodo. "Made in Japan" seal verso.

SIZE IN INCHES: oban, 10.75 x 15.5 inches

PROVENANCE: From the estate of Robert O. Muller

COMMENTS: This print is from a series called called Hodo Takemura Kacho Series. It was also published as individual prints by Takemura between 1937 and 1940. Like other Hodo work, this series is incompletely known, however to date 12 different designs are known. Apparently the immediate inspiration for this series was a group of black background prints which Ohara Koson (Shoson) produced for Watanabe in the 1920s using some of the same bird subjects. The treatment is a popular one, and there were also several similar designs published by others around this time as well.

Although it was thought that all of the designs were only printed with black backgrounds, many (perhaps all) were also printed with pale backgrounds.

HODO NISHIMURA was a Japanese artist who worked with publisher Takemura Hideo. Most of his prints were made in the late 1930's in traditional woodblock technique. He is well known for his beautiful prints of flowers and animals as well as a number of landscapes.

VG with flaws as shown