Expression of Eyes — 瞳
by Kiyoshi Kobayakawa (1898-1948)

	Artist:	Kiyoshi Kobayakawa (1898-1948) — 小早川清
	Title:	Expression of Eyes — 瞳
	Series:	Womens manners of today
	Date of first edition?:	1931/1
	Date of this artwork?:	After April 1977 (may not be accurate)
	Publisher (first edition)?:	Private
	Publisher (this edition)?:	Ishukankokai — 遺珠刊行会
	Medium (first edition):	Woodblock
	Medium (this edition):	Woodblock
	Format (first edition):	Large Oban
	Format (this edition):	Large Oban
	DB artwork code:	39756
	Notes (first edition)?:	Kobayakawa Kiyoshi, 1896-1948 Styles of Women's manners of today: no. 4, Pupil of the Eye (Kindaijisesho no uchi: Hitomi) Dated and signed at upper right (difficult to see against midnight blue ground), Showa rokunen ichigatsu (Showa 6 [1931], lst month) Kiyoshi saku with artist's seal Kobayakawa; the title Kindaijisesho no uchi non- Hitomi, along the lower margin, and limited edition seal on the right margin, Hyaku mai kagiri zeppan, dai ni go (100 limited edition), privately published, the blocks carved by Takano Shichinosuke and printed by Ono Tomisaburo, 1931 dai oban tate-e 21 by 12 1/8 in., 53.3 by 30.7 cm A later edition of this scene was published some time after April 1977 (so late 1970s/early 1980s). References: Katô, Junzô, comp., Kindai Nihon hanga taikei, 1975-76, Vol. III Reigle Stephens, Amy, gen. ed., The new wave: Twentieth-century Japanese prints from the Robert O. Muller Collection, 1993, pp. 176-177, pl. 221 Reigle Newland, Amy, and Hamanaka Shinji, The Female Image: 20th century prints of Japanese beauties, 2000, p. 143, pl. 192 Nihon no hanga III 1921-1930, Toshi to onna to hikari to kage to (Japanese Prints III, 1921-1930: Cities and Women, Lights and Shadows), Chiba City Museum of Art, 2001, p. 122, pl. 264-4 Reigle Newland, Amy, gen. ed., Printed to Perfection: Twentieth-century Japanese Prints from the Robert O. Muller Collection, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, 2004, p. 96, no. 82 Notes Kiyoshi's best design after Tipsy. Limited edition. Rare.
	Notes (this edition)?:	The following information was taken from the original web listing of this artwork. Note that there may be some inaccuracies: Friday, 22 September 2006 Expression of Eyes, Hitomi, 1931 Series; Styles of Contemporary Makeup, no. 4 From a Beautiful Shin-hanga Commemorative Set- Tonight, we are very excited to offer a fine group of shin-hanga beauties from a single publisher's release of shin-hanga wood block masterworks. With the permission of the original's artist's heirs, the venerable Ishukankokai publishing company was commissioned to release a strictly limited edition of 100 sets with 12 prints each of masterwork shin-hanga beauty woodblocks. The Ishukankokai company set about producing an incredible reprint set of these designs with exact detail and color. The prints were produced on the finest handmade paper available. Expert carvers were contracted to produce the highest quality wood blocks and printers meticulously reprinted these bijin originals with the same attention to quality and detail and in keeping with the artist's excellent original designs. The prints included the technically difficult embellishments of mica backgrounds, embossed detail, and beautiful shaded color. These reprint sets were an immediate hit on the market. Due to the limited edition release of 100 sets total, and the technical difficulty in quality of the prints, they immediately commanded high prices. If you have always wanted to own a shin-hanga beauty masterpiece but have found the originals unattainable, consider this incredible opportunity to purchase from this lovely group. Either framed and displayed, or simply collected and stored, they are truly 20th shin-hanga treasures. Bid now on this fantastic auction. We do not anticipate having any of these rare originals in the near future. Comments- A fantastic and shin-hanga masterwork and a very rare 20th century wood block print (both the original and this limited edition reprint). An incredible image of the young beauty wrapped in winter kimono with the captivating expression on her face. The high white fur collar of her kimono is printed in a heavy embossed pattern -- outstanding. In the Hotei book "Printed to Perfection", the writer refers to this print as "a jewel showa era print making". Wonderful print for the collector or for display. Publisher- Ishukankokai of Tokyo, sealed with the red moneybag seal and including publisher, carver, and printer information, as shown (see photo). Sealed- with red artist seal as shown (see photo). Image size- 10 1/2" x 7 1/2" + margins as shown Condition- In excellent condition overall as shown with no flaws or issues to report. Fine original color, no fading, and excellent detail. The print has been stored only, never framed, it is a flawless example. No holes, tears, or other issues. The print is not backed. An excellent choice for the discerning collector or for a stunning, sophisticated display. With original presentation folder- Each print is being sold with its original presentation folder. The prints are stored in a beautiful inner folder with paper surround and protective liner and a heavy outer folder with subject and series titles in Japanese. See example photo below for the type of folders you will get with your print.
	Artist Bio:	Kobayakawa Kiyoshi is best known for designing woodblock prints of modern Japanese women. Born in Hakata, a town in the Fukuoka Province of Kyushu, Kiyoshi was one of many artists who studied with Kaburagi Kiyokata, the famous painter and print designer. Kiyoshi entered Kiyokata's school at age twenty and probably knew Kiyokata's other students including Ito Shinsui, Kawase Hasui, and Torii Kotondo. Unfortunately, little is known about Kiyoshi's life compared to those other print designers. During the 1920's and 1930's, he exhibited Nihonga (Japanese-style) paintings at several exhibitions including the Kyodokai and the Imperial Academy Exhibition. In 1923, he contributed a print design to the series, "Complete Collection of Chikamatsu". This was probably Kiyoshi's first experience designing woodblock prints. Beginning in 1930, Kiyoshi began designing a series of six bijin prints which he called "Modern Fashionable Styles" (Kindai jisei sho). These prints were carved by Tadano Shichinosuke and printed by Ono Tomisaburo. The prints in this series were (1) Tipsy, (2) Powdering the Face, (3) Pedicure, (4) Expression of Eyes, (5) Black Hair, and (6) Rouge. Though most of these prints depict Japanese women engaged in traditional feminine pursuits, Tipsy is remarkable for its frank portrayal of a modern girl, or moga. It depicts a Japanese woman dressed in fashionable Western clothing and jewelry, drinking and smoking a cigarette. Her flirtatious, blurred gaze and her flushed cheeks indicate that she is intoxicated. This print was considered quite risque when it was first published. Kiyoshi designed thirteen prints in all, twelve of which were exhibited at the 1936 Toledo Exhibition. In addition to his six self-published prints, three were published by Hasegawa, three by Ensendo (Takamizawa) and one by Watanabe Shozaburo. Kiyoshi was awarded the special rank of Tokusen for his 1933 print, The Geisha Ichimaru. He died in April 1948 at Ikegami, Tokyo. Some of his woodblocks have been reprinted since his death and have later publisher's seals in the margin. Kobayakawa Kiyoshi is best known for designing woodblock prints of modern Japanese women. Born in Hakata, a town in the Fukuoka Province of Kyushu, Kiyoshi was one of many artists who studied with Kaburagi Kiyokata, the famous painter and print designer. Kiyoshi entered Kiyokata's school at age twenty and probably knew Kiyokata's other students including Ito Shinsui, Kawase Hasui, and Torii Kotondo. Unfortunately, little is known about Kiyoshi's life compared to those other print designers. During the 1920's and 1930's, he exhibited Nihonga (Japanese-style) paintings at several exhibitions including the Kyodokai and the Imperial Academy Exhibition. In 1923, he contributed a print design to the series, "Complete Collection of Chikamatsu". This was probably Kiyoshi's first experience designing woodblock prints. Beginning in 1930, Kiyoshi began designing a series of six bijin prints which he called "Modern Fashionable Styles" (Kindai jisei sho). These prints were carved by Tadano Shichinosuke and printed by Ono Tomisaburo. The prints in this series were (1) Tipsy, (2) Powdering the Face, (3) Pedicure, (4) Expression of Eyes, (5) Black Hair, and (6) Rouge. Though most of these prints depict Japanese women engaged in traditional feminine pursuits, Tipsy is remarkable for its frank portrayal of a modern girl, or moga. It depicts a Japanese woman dressed in fashionable Western clothing and jewelry, drinking and smoking a cigarette. Her flirtatious, blurred gaze and her flushed cheeks indicate that she is intoxicated. This print was considered quite risque when it was first published. Kiyoshi designed thirteen prints in all, twelve of which were exhibited at the 1936 Toledo Exhibition. In addition to his six self-published prints, three were published by Hasegawa, three by Ensendo (Takamizawa) and one by Watanabe Shozaburo. Kiyoshi was awarded the special rank of Tokusen for his 1933 print, The Geisha Ichimaru. He died in April 1948 at Ikegami, Tokyo. Some of his woodblocks have been reprinted since his death and have later publisher's seals in the margin.