Japanese woodblock print by artist Tsuchiya Rakusan (Japanese; 1896-1976). From the Flower and Bird Print Series, this print is number 5 in the series and is titled Sasanqua Camellia and Mandarin Ducks (Winter). This particular print appears to be from the first printing in 1929 with the correct Edition 1 watermark lower center and the correct Edition 1 seal mark. 

Measurements: 21.25" H x 26.25" W x 1" D (frame); 13.25" H x 18.75 W (image).

From Annex Galleries:

Rakusan Tsuchiya was born Tsuchiya Kouzou on April 25, 1896 in the Hyogo Prefecture before his family moved to Kyoto and during his early studio years he used that name in his role as a printer/publisher or producer/distributor. For seven years, between 1913 and 1920 Rakusan was apprenticed to the great Kyoto artist Takeuchi Seihou, (1864-1942), usually called "Seiho". Rakusan’s artworks show many parallels to works by his master as well as to those of other contemporary Seiho students.

Working under the name ‘Rakusan Koshisei’ as well, Rakusan found success in printmaking from the 1920s through 1950s. Around 1925 he started preparations for his most famous series of woodblock prints and, between 1929 and 1933, he produced his most popular woodblock series, Rakusan Kacho Gafu (Rakusan Flower and Bird Series), composed of 100 large-scale woodblock prints based on paintings he had completed between 1925 and 1929.

The series was intended to be printed in editions of 200 prints for each design. However, quite a few designs were so popular that also a second edition and a third edition were printed. The second edition was printed until the main studio closed in 1941, the third edition was printed between 1948 and 1955, when the studio closed down permanently.

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Heavy toning/discoloration. Discoloration spotting appears on print throughout. Not examined out of frame.

All lots have imperfections or the effects of aging. Sheafer + King Modern shall have no responsibility for any errors or omissions.