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NARAZAKI EISHO
'Interior of the Kannon Temple at Asakusa' — Early Edition 1930s Woodblock Print

1932

About the Item

NARAZAKI EISHO (1864-1936), 'Asakusa Kannon-do no naido' (Interior of the Kannon Temple at Asakusa), color woodblock print, 1932. Signed Eisho lower right, with the artist’s red seal beneath. A fine impression with fresh colors; the full sheet with slight overall age toning, a drying tack hole in the upper left margin, in overall excellent condition. Vertical oban: image size 14 3/16 x 9 9/16 inches (360 x 243 mm); sheet size 15 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches (387 x 267 mm). Published by Watanabe Shozaburo. A rare first or early edition impression with the Watanabe publisher’s seal “C” (1929-1942) in the lower left margin and the title and date in the lower right margin. Collections: Harvard Art Museums, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Literature: 'Shin-Hanga: New Prints in Modern Japan,' Kendall Brown, Hollis Goodall-Cristante, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1996, p. 83, figure 113; 'Japanese Wood-block Prints,' Shizuya Fujikake, Japan Travel Bureau, 1938, p. 94, 95; 'The Legacy of Japanese Printmaking,' Barry Till, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 1986, plate 62; 'Modern Japanese Prints: The Twentieth Century,' Amanda T. Zehnder, Carnegie Museum of Art, 2009, p. 132; 'Hanga ni miru Tokyo no fukei; Kanto daishinsai kara senzen made, Ota Kuritsu Kyodo Hakubutsukan,' 2002, pl. 213, p. 50. ABOUT THE IMAGE The scene depicted is of the interior of the Asakusa Kannon Temple on New Year’s Day. Large celebratory lanterns hang from the high ceiling; the one in the foreground bears a 17th-century Buddhist symbol. The Buddhist temple Sensōji, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple, is located in Asakusa, Tokyo. Completed in 645 AD, it is Tokyo's oldest temple and one of its most colorful and popular. ABOUT THE ARTIST Narazaki Eishō (1864-1936) was born in Edo (modern-day Tokyo), Japan. He was a highly esteemed artist known for his mastery of the traditional Japanese woodblock print technique, ukiyo-e. Eishō's life and work spanned a transformative period in Japanese history, witnessing the transition from the Edo period to the Meiji era and the subsequent modernization of Japan. Eishō initially trained under the guidance of his father, Narazaki Kōgyo, a well-known artist and printmaker. Under his father's tutelage, Eishō honed his skills in woodblock printing and developed a deep appreciation for the rich artistic traditions of Japan. He demonstrated remarkable talent from a young age, quickly gaining recognition for his intricate designs and meticulous craftsmanship. As Japan underwent rapid modernization and cultural shifts during the Meiji era, Eishō remained committed to preserving and revitalizing the art of ukiyo-e, which was facing challenges from Western influences and changing tastes. He drew inspiration from classical ukiyo-e masters, such as Hokusai and Hiroshige, and contemporary trends in Japanese art, blending traditional techniques with innovative approaches. Eishō's prints, celebrated for their beauty, craftsmanship, and evocative portrayal of Japanese life and culture, encompassed various subjects, including landscapes, portraits, historical scenes, and depictions of kabuki actors and geisha. He demonstrated a keen eye for capturing the beauty and dynamism of everyday life in Japan, infusing his prints with vibrant colors, intricate details, and a sense of elegance and refinement. One of Eishō's notable achievements was his collaboration with the publisher Watanabe Shōzaburō, who played a pivotal role in the revival of ukiyo-e during the early 20th century. Together, they produced a series of prints featuring famous landmarks, scenic views, and traditional customs of Japan, which gained popularity both domestically and internationally. Throughout his career, Eishō remained dedicated to the preservation and promotion of ukiyo-e as a vital art form. He also contributed to the scholarly study of Japanese prints, publishing books and articles on the history and techniques of ukiyo-e. Eishō's prints are represented in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, Carnegie Museum of Art, Georgetown University, Harvard Art Museums, University of Wisconsin, The Lavenberg Collection of Japanese Prints, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
  • Creator:
    NARAZAKI EISHO (1864 - 1936, Japanese)
  • Creation Year:
    1932
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 14.188 in (36.04 cm)Width: 9.563 in (24.29 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Myrtle Beach, SC
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 980481stDibs: LU532314168402
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