[Go Back]  [New Search]    Comparing Artwork Details for Kasamatsu Shiro (1898-1991) "Spring at the Moat (Ohari no Haru)"         

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Notes (1st edition)
Publisher (this edition): Not Set Not Set Unsodo Not Set Not Set
Date of this item: 1957 1957 1957 1957 1957
Notes (this edition)
These notes were written by the original owner/seller/auctioner of the item and may be inaccurate.:
Japanese Woodblock by Kasamatsu ‘Spring at the Moat’ (1957)

A lovely three swans scene titled in Japanese kanji (left margin) as “Ohori no Haru” which translates in English as “Spring at the Moat” by Shiro Kasamatsu (1898-1991). Bears artist’s red “seal” in lower right corner of image. Print bears Unsodo’s Publisher’s rectangular seal in left margin along with the carver/printer seals of Okura/Shinmi. Below that, importantly, is the “kanji margin-dating” of “Showa 32,” or 1957—since ONLY “first edition” prints are known to have such margin-dating—and additionally, it has recently been learned that only 100 such dated “first edition” prints were ever produced. Dr. Andreas Grund’s authoritative reference “The Complete Woodblocks of Shiro Kasamatsu” lists this print as #U86. Also bears “Gei” watermark (“gei” is the first kanji character of the of the Unsodo Publishers name, "Un-so-do,” which is spelled “gei” if alone) in the lower left corner. Circa 1957—first edition.

Seldom seen, the presence of this print's original (“kanji”) “margin-dating" seen in the lower left margin indicates that this print to be a FIRST EDITION printing. All later editions printed LACK this margin-dating, as upon competition of the first 100 prints, the Japanese dates were carved off the “key-block.” To learn more about the dating of editions and prints by Unsodo Publisher, click the following link about ”Unsodo Publisher.”

Nicely printed—superbly executed “bokashi” (gradation of color) throughout the print; baren “sujizuri” (circular baren tracings) seen in the rock wall; and light “gauffrage” to some of the swan’s feathers. Crisp, sharp “key-lines.” Excellent “bleed-through” of colors to backside. Print is in very good condition—no tears, no fading, clean backside—does have just a couple of very faint, small “age spots” in only the very lower margin. (Note: Small “notch” cut into the lower right corner is known as a “kento cut” and is a necessary aid in the printing process as this ensures perfect alignment and “registration” of the many various woodblocks used during the printing of each color.) Image measures 9 5/8 x 14 ½ inches.
Artist: Kasamatsu, Shiro (born 1898)
Series: Publisher Unsodo
Title or Subject: Swans
Signature or Seal: Seal
Date or Circa: 1958
Paper Size: 16 x 10 3/4 inches
Impression/Color/Condition: Good/Good/Good

Description: Good state
Shiro KASAMATSU (1898-1991)

"Spring at the Moat"
1957

Print size is 15.75" x 10.75"

Condition is very good. No tears, folds or creases. This print is perfect in every way. Strong image bleedthrough to verso.

As above.

Kasamatsu- Spring at the Moat- 1.jpg is:

Ohari no Haru (Spring in the Moat) by Shiro Kasamats. Original woodblock print dated Showa 32 (1957). Very good condition. Never been framed. A little foxing in margins. Oban size measures 16.2 x 10.8 inches. Red Shiro seal in lower right of image. Title, Unsodo publisher's seal, Shinmi printer's seal, Okura carver's seal, date and Gei watermark in left margin.

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