(Frontispiece). Yoshida Hiroshi (1876-1950). Titled in the left margin in Japanese Yamanaka Mura (Yamanaka Village), titled in English Fuji-san from Yamanaka. Also in the left margin in Japanese jizuri (self-printed), Shown jūni-nen (Showa 12 [1937]), woodblock, 25x37.8 cm. Signed Hiroshi Yoshida, sealed in kanji Hiroshi.
From a wide world of outstanding artists with an extensive range of techniques and subject matter, it is difficult to select one to set the tone for book. We felt, however, that Yoshida Hiroshi would be eminently suitable.
Yoshida is a pivotal figure between the eras of ukiyo-e (Japan's antique woodblock prints) and Modern creative prints, having had a foot in both worlds. Like the older generation of ukiyo-e artists, he chose to emphasize the medium of the woodblock and follow the convention of having an artisan carver and printer to effect his designs. Also like the earlier artists, he often used landscapes as subject matter. From the creative-print artists at the beginning of the twentieth century he borrowed an interest in the Western art aesthetic, to the extent that he traveled to Europe, Africa, and America twice, where he was influential in arranging exhibitions of works of the shin-hanga (new print) movement, of which he was so much a part. This book begins from around the time of his death.
In addition, it is said that no matter what theme or motif a Japanese artist pursues, at some time in his career he inevitably presents his view of Mount Fuji, which has long served as an inspiration for Japanese artists. Mount Fuji is the ultimate symbol of Japan and seems to us to serve well as the proper starting point for a venture into the realm of the Japanese print.
With a Foreword by James Michener
CHARLES E. TUTTLE COMPANY
Rutland, Vermont & Tokyo, Japan
Published by the Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc.
of Rutland, Vermont & Tokyo, Japan
with editorial offices at
Osaki Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0032
© 1994 by Charles E. Tuttle Publishing Co., Inc.
All rights reserved
LCC Card No. 94-60823
ISBN: 978-1-4629-0374-0 (ebook)
First printing, 1994
Printed in Singapore
Contents
| 11 | List of Plates |
| 13 | Acknowledgments |
| 15 | Foreword by James Michener |
| 19 | Preface |
| 23 | Introduction |
| Historical Background 23 | |
| General Terms 26 | |
| Printing Techniques 31 | |
| 37 | Then |
| 105 | Between Then and Now |
| 115 | Now |
| 221 | The Artists |
| 248 | Suggested Readings |
Note: Factual information about each print is found in the caption accompanying the plate. That information includes the author's name and dates; the title or titles of the print; a translation of the Japanese title in parentheses; the edition number; the year; the medium; the image size in centimeters; and particulars concerning the signature and seal.
List of Plates
1 (Frontispiece). Yamanaka Mura (Yamanaka Village) or Fuji-san from Yamanaka by Yoshida Hiroshi
2 Maiko, Kyoto (S) by Saito Kiyoshi page 41
3 Keio Ka Hya-en (Keio Flower Garden) by Sekino Jun'ichiro 42
4 Untitled work by Sasajima Kihei 45
5 Uchi Kongō Hyokunji (Inner Precinct of Hyokun Temple) by Hiratsuka Un'ichi 47
