Item from the Mokuhankan Flea Market

The First Shimada Hairstyle

Size: 53.0cm by 41.5cm (20.87 in by 16.34 in) | Enlargement | Shipping Code: [XL] ?

Designer: Ito Shinsui

Era: Late Showa | Currency: $ / £ / €

Price: ¥ 40,000$ 310.00£ 230.00€ 265.00 [Item has been sold]

Description: Shinsui (“Deep Water”) Ito (1898–1972), born Ito Hajime, was one of the most significant woodblock print artists of the shin-hanga (“new prints”) movement. A Tokyo native, he studied Nihonga (traditional Japanese-style painting) under the guidance of Kaburagi Kiyokata.

He became best known for his bijin-ga (images of beautiful women), which featured a simple yet richly colored palette, often seen in the clothing of his subjects. These were contrasted with the luminous whiteness of the women’s skin and the striking black of their hair.

Though his early works echoed classical ukiyo-e, Shinsui’s approach to technique was innovative. He began with a master painting in watercolor, which was then passed to skilled carvers and printers who would make the actual prints from this ‘master copy’. This collaborative process allowed for deep textures, subtle transparency, and powerful expressions not achievable in painting alone.

This print features a close-up portrait of a beauty wearing a traditional Japanese hairstyle known as the "Shimada", a type of nihongami (classical Japanese hairstyle) resembling a chignon. This style was historically used to indicate seniority, rank, and social role, and its variations reflected distinctions in gender, age, profession, and status.

Typically, the hair is gathered at the crown of the head, with a small portion of the bun projecting outward. It includes two curved “wings” on either side of the head, sweeping upward toward the back to form a topknot or ponytail. A long loop of hair below is also drawn into the topknot, and using hair accessories to embellish it.

The color palette in this print is soft, allowing the ornamental details of her clothing to stand out. Sparkling pigments are used in the motifs of her obi and robe, lending a subtle shimmer that enhances the overall composition.

Published by Unso-do / Carver: Nagashima Michio / Printer: Niimi Saburo / Limited 150 copies

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