Shiko Munakata (Japanese, 1903-1975). "Reclining Female Nude II". Color woodcut in brown ink. 1934. Edition unknown, presumed small. Thin Japan paper. Narrow top and bottom margins. Fine impression. Good condition; mounted to stiff board; some scattered foxing in the image. Provenance: Through a relative of the artist, Aomori, Japan; Private collection, Houston, Texas. Overall size: 5 3/4 x 5 3/4 in. (146 x 146 mm). Image size: 5 3/8 x 4 5/16 in. (137 x 110 mm). Very rare and a splendid example of Munakata's very early work. We could not find any auction records of a Munakata print created before 1935. In 1926, Munakata saw Kawakami Sumio's black-and-white woodcut "Early Summer Breeze," and decided to work on black-and-white prints. From 1928 onwards, Hiratsuka Unichi (1895–1997), another renowned sosaku hanga printmaker, taught Munakata wood carving. In 1929, four of his prints were accepted by the Shunyokai Exhibition, which bolstered his confidence in the new medium. In the following year (1930), four more of his woodcuts were accepted for the Kokugakai national exhibition, thus establishing him in his career. Image copyright © The Estate of Shiko Munakata. [25223-1-2000]