Kaburaki Kiyokata, 1878-1972

Early Summer
Shoka

hanging scroll, ink and color on paper; signed Kiyokata with artist's rectangular seal Shiyoh-kasha; accompanied by tomobako with title inscribed on lid, Shoka, and signed on the lid interior, Kiyokata-dai (titled by Kiyokata), with square seal Kiyo, ca. 1917-1920

painting 46 1/2 by 12 3/4 in., 118 by 32.5 cm
overall 73 5/8 by 17 1/8 in., 187 by 43.5 cm

Kiyokata, born Kaburaki Ken'ichi, was the son of Jono Saigiku, a writer and founder of the newspaper Yamato Shimbun. In 1891 his father arranged for Ken'ichi to study with Mizuno Toshikata (1866-1908), a painter and contributor to the newspaper. Toshikata was a student of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892), one of the last great masters of ukiyo-e. In 1893 Ken'ichi was given the go (art name) Kiyokata.

From the mid-1890's, Kiyokata pursued a career as an illustrator. Starting with newspaper work, he eventually became a prolific designer of kuchi-e (novel frontispieces) and sashi-e (inserted illustrations). His illustrating commissions kept him busy, but by 1907 he resolved he would quit by the time he turned 40 in order to focus on paintings.

Perhaps Kiyokata's greatest contribution to the genre of shin-hanga were his students, which include Ito Shinsui (1898-1972); Kawase Hasui (1883-1957); Kasamatsu Shiro (1898-1991); Yamakawa Shuho (1898-1944); Torii Kotondo (1900-1976), and Kobayakawa Kiyoshi (1896-1948).

$18,500