Ishii Hakutei

1882-1958

Twelve Views of Tokyo: Shinbashi
(Tokyo Junikei: Shinbashi)

cartouche with telephone poles and clock tower; signed Hakutei, with artist's seal Bonkotsu to, published by Yanagiya-shoten, Seikado, ca. 1914-17

oban tate-e 15 1/4 by 10 1/8 in., 38.7 by 25.7 cm

This series captures a key transitional moment for the woodblock print genre. The theme is classic: views of beautiful women presented within parameters as compared to views of famous places. The design is classic: a beauty on a plain ground, and even the proportions of the landscape cartouche above are similar to ukiyo-e; but the moment is contemporary. In the nostalgic subject matter one sees the direction of shin-hanga (new prints) to come; while the loose outlines, soft coloring, and modern views with hints of industrialization are typical of the Western-influenced abstractions of sosaku-hanga.

References:
Kato Junzo, comp., Kindai Nihon hanga taikei, 1975-76, Vol. I, no. 22
Amy Reigle Newland, and Hamanaka Shinji, The Female Image: 20th Century Prints of Japanese Beauties, 2000, p. 36, no. 6

(inv. no. 10-1975)

price: Sold