Torii Kotondo

1900-1976

Combing Her Hair
(Kamisuki)

Signed Kotondo ga, with artist's square bird seal (Torii). The title, Kamisuki, embossed on the lower margin. The publisher's limited edition cartouche printed on verso, Ikeda hanken shoyu, hyaku mai kagiri zeppan, hakkai, dai rokuju-nana go (copyright Ikeda, edition limited to 100, 8th printing, number 67), with artist's bird seal (Torii). Undated, published by Ikeda in 1933. Accompanied by cancelled keyblock proof and original woodblock printed folder decorated with white silhouetted stylized plum blossoms on a grey ground.

dai oban tate-e 47.5 by 29.8 cm.

Original woodblock printed folder.

Although the print was issued ca. 1933, it is unknown when the publisher completed all editions and cancelled the blocks. As Ikeda issued Kotondo prints in editions of 100, perhaps he completed them within a few years. Presumably the keyblock was cancelled shortly thereafter as an assurance to collectors that the production would indeed be limited (unlike other publishers such as Watanabe who typically retained the blocks and issued new prints at will). Unfortunately, we do not know how many editions were pulled, however, according to the numbering on this print, at least eight in this case. As this impression has an edition number (not all do), and is accompanied by the cancelled key block (illustrated below) as well as an original folder (see cover flaps), we could imagine that they were originally acquired from Ikeda as a special set from (perhaps) the last edition issued.

price: Sold