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Crow on Shrine Gate
Posted by Dave Bull on March 5, 2006 [Permalink]
This is an exact reproduction of one of the prints known as 'Akashi-ban' surimono, this one designed by Yajima Gakutei. In the early 1890's an enterprising publisher in Akashi, near Kobe, issued many dozens of prints based on Edo period surimono (privately published prints). Scholars believe that these prints were targeted at the foreign market, as relatively few of them are found in Japan these days, while they commonly turn up in Europe (Kobe was one of the areas first opened up to foreign settlement).
They are wonderfully made, with superbly carved calligraphy and well-executed printing. They differ from the earlier prints chiefly in the paper; most surimono originals are printed on paper with very weak sizing, if any.
This reproduction is as close to an exact copy of the Akashi version as is possible to make. Dave cut the blocks in late 1998, and pulled a small number of copies which were given to guests at the final exhibition of his 10-year Hyakunin Isshu printmaking project. These Mokuhankan prints are now being pulled from the same blocks by printer Shinkichi Numabe.
The blocks are Japanese cherry, but utilize boxwood inserts for the areas of delicate calligraphy. A 'photo-essay' showing how this print was made can be seen here on Dave's website.
Click here to see a larger image of the print. (228Kb)
The catalogue entry for this print.
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