Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). Art

Japanese, 1871-1945

Born in Tokyo in 1871, Hiroaki Takahashi was working as an artist in an official capacity at an incredibly young age. After an early apprenticeship with his uncle, Matsumoto Fuko (who awarded the young boy the name Shôtei), Takahashi was hired by the Imperial Household Department of Foreign Affairs to copy designs for ceremonial objects. By the age of 18, Shôtei was a co-founder of the Japan Youth Painting Society, and by 1907 he had been recruited by Shōzoburō Watanabe to produce prints for his Shin Hanga movement. The Shin Hanga ("New Print") movement served to satisfy the widespread demand in the Western world for the export of traditional Ukiyo-e prints in the style of masters like Hiroshige. Shôtei enjoyed tremendous success in this endeavor, however, it was cut devastatingly short in 1923. On September 1st of 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake, also known as the Tokyo-Yokohama earthquake of 1923, struck the Tokyo metropolitan area without warning with a magnitude of 7.9. Up until that point in time it was the worst natural disaster recorded in the history of earthquake-prone Japan. The earthquake, which is said to have lasted up to ten mintues, caused a tsunami, a rotational wind burst with a burning core called a "fire whirl," and extensive firestorms, which quickly spread across the main island of Honshū. Watanabe's facility was reduced to ashes, and the inferno took every single woodblock with it. Lucky to have survived the devastation, Shôtei, now having added the name Hiroaki, spent the rest of his life recreating his lost woodblocks, as well as creating a handful of new designs. There is some speculation that impressions of woodblocks with the kanja characters reading Shôtei, versus Rakutei, may indicate pre-earthquake impressions versus post-earthquake impressions, printed from a block recreated by the artist after his own design. The signature and title on this work would have been added in English by an assistant in preparation for its export to the West. Despite a persistent bit of misinformation that Shôtei died in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, he actually died of pneumonia in February of 1945, at the age of 74.

Artist: Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei).

Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei)Street Singers (Ukiyobushi), Shamisen Player and Singer, 1936

$350

Street Singers (Ukiyobushi), Shamisen Player and Singer

By Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei)

Located in Middletown, NY

Watanabe Shozaburo, 1936. Woodblock in colors on handmade mulberry paper, Koban 182 x 120 mm, full margins. With the Shôtei artist seal in red ink, upper right. Signed "Shotei" and titled in English on the matrix in graphite. With the "Made in Japan" export stamp and the Watanabe catalog number stamp 179, both in blue ink, on the bottom sheet edge, verso, as issued. Adhered to a card stock matrix with deckle edges, as issued. A beautiful pre-war impression of this serene and peaceful scene, good gradient inking and luminosity in the lantern. Printed by hand with cherrywood blocks. *Marc Kahn, Shotei catalog S10; Watanabe 179 Born in Tokyo in 1871, Hiroaki Takahashi...

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Early 20th Century Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). Art

Materials

Watercolor, Handmade Paper, Woodcut

Utagawa Toyohiro"Toy Horse Dance" Japanese Woodblock Triptych with Beauties and Mt Fuji, early 1900s

$1,360Sale Price|20% Off

H 24 in W 36 in D 0.25 in

"Toy Horse Dance" Japanese Woodblock Triptych with Beauties and Mt Fuji

Located in Soquel, CA

"Toy Horse Dance" Japanese Woodblock Triptych with Beauties and Mt Fuji Vibrant three-panel woodblock print by Utagawa Toyohiro (Japanese,...

Category

Early 20th Century Edo Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). Art

Materials

Ink, Rice Paper, Woodcut

Toyohara Kunichika"Enshoku Sanju-roku Kasen" (Thirty-six Enchanting Flowers) Woodblock on paper, 1881

$380Sale Price|20% Off

H 20 in W 16 in D 0.25 in

"Enshoku Sanju-roku Kasen" (Thirty-six Enchanting Flowers) Woodblock on paper

By Toyohara Kunichika

Located in Soquel, CA

"Enshoku Sanju-roku Kasen" (Thirty-six Enchanting Flowers) Woodblock on paper Elegant woodblock print by Toyohara Kunuchika (Japanese, 1835-1900). Three women are in talking with each other inside, while a man waits outside holding a bag of some kind. The colors in this piece are rich and saturated, primarily blues, greens, and purple. Mat size: 16"H x 20"W Paper size: 14.75"H x 9.88"W Born in 1835, Toyohara Kunichika grew up in the Kyobashi district of Edo in the midst of merchants and artisans. In 1848, at age 13, he was accepted as an apprentice into the studio of Utagawa Kunisada I...

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1880s Edo Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). Art

Materials

Ink, Rice Paper, Woodcut

Tsukioka Kôgyo"Pictures Of Noh" - 1922 Original Japanese Woodblock Print, 1922

$568Sale Price|20% Off

H 24 in W 18 in D 0.5 in

"Pictures Of Noh" - 1922 Original Japanese Woodblock Print

Located in Soquel, CA

"Pictures Of Noh" - 1922 Original Japanese Woodblock Print Original Japanese woodblock print by Tsukioka Kogyo (Japanese, 1869-1927...

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1920s Edo Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). Art

Materials

Ink, Rice Paper, Woodcut

Yoshu ChikanobuJapanese Beauty Admiring Kirifuri Waterfall, 1898

$940Sale Price|20% Off

H 14.02 in W 18.67 in

Japanese Beauty Admiring Kirifuri Waterfall

By Yoshu Chikanobu

Located in Burbank, CA

A beauty turns to admire the Kirifuri Waterfall in Nikko Province. She holds the handle of an umbrella and wears fashionable clothing that is beautifully printed. This series pairs f...

Category

1890s Edo Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). Art

Materials

Handmade Paper, Mulberry Paper, Woodcut

Keisai EisenMitate of a Daimyo's Procession Crossing Ryogoku Bridge - Woodblock Print, circa 1840s

$1,650

H 24 in W 36 in D 0.25 in

Mitate of a Daimyo's Procession Crossing Ryogoku Bridge - Woodblock Print

By Keisai Eisen

Located in Soquel, CA

Mitate of a Daimyo's Procession Crossing Ryogoku Bridge - Woodblock Print Woodblock print of a procession by Keisai Eisen (Japanese, 1790–1848). Terrific triptych of a procession of...

Category

Early 19th Century Edo Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). Art

Materials

Ink, Rice Paper, Woodcut

Katsukawa ShunshōActor as Samurai - 18th Century Japanese Woodblock Print, c. 1772

$750

H 19 in W 12.5 in D 0.63 in

Actor as Samurai - 18th Century Japanese Woodblock Print

By Katsukawa Shunshō

Located in Soquel, CA

Actor as Samurai - 18th Century Japanese Woodblock Print Woodblock print depicting an actor, possibly Nakamura Denkuro II, as a samurai. The actor stands with his sword unsheathed a...

Category

Late 18th Century Edo Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). Art

Materials

Woodcut, Rice Paper

Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)The Courtesan Kashiwagi and the Kamuro Wakano - Japanese Woodblock Print, 1820-1830

$720Sale Price|20% Off

H 19 in W 13 in D 1 in

The Courtesan Kashiwagi and the Kamuro Wakano - Japanese Woodblock Print

By Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)

Located in Soquel, CA

The Courtesan Kashiwagi and the Kamuro Wakano - Japanese Woodblock Print Original Toyokuni III/Kunisada (Japanese, 1786 - 1864) Japanese Woodblock Print "The Courtesan Kashiwagi and...

Category

1820s Realist Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). Art

Materials

Printer's Ink, Rice Paper, Woodcut

Utagawa ToyokuniKabuki Actor in Water Lily Robe with Samurai Sword - Japanese Woodblock Print, early 1800s

$720Sale Price|20% Off

H 20 in W 14.38 in D 0.5 in

Kabuki Actor in Water Lily Robe with Samurai Sword - Japanese Woodblock Print

By Utagawa Toyokuni

Located in Soquel, CA

Kabuki Actor in Water Lily Robe with Samurai Sword- Japanese Woodblock Print Finely detailed woodblock by Utagawa Toyokuni (Japanese, 1769-1825). A kabuki actor ("Master Haranyuki Sawamura") is standing on stage with mountainous backdrop, wearing a robe in a water lily pattern. He is wearing a samurai sword. Presented in a gold colored frame with a silk mat. Frame size: 20"H x 14.25"W Image size: 14"H x 9"W Utagawa Toyokuni (Japanese, 1769-1825) was born in Edo, the son of Kurahashi Gorobei, a carver of dolls and puppets...

Category

Early 19th Century Edo Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). Art

Materials

Ink, Rice Paper, Woodcut

Kitagawa Utamaro 1"House Cleaning in Preparation for the New Year" - Japanese Woodblock on Paper, late 1800s-early 1900s

$920Sale Price|20% Off

H 24 in W 38 in D 0.25 in

"House Cleaning in Preparation for the New Year" - Japanese Woodblock on Paper

By Kitagawa Utamaro 1

Located in Soquel, CA

"House Cleaning in Preparation for the New Year" - Japanese Woodblock on Paper House cleaning scene by Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1753-1806). This print was originally published around 1796-1799, with this example being a later reprint. The full scene is five sheets - there are two more sheets to the right that show more members of the house. However, it is these three sheets that contain the majority of the action - a maid sweeping at a mouse, a lady fainting, and a painting moved aside to allow for cleaning. Presented in a new black mat. Mat size: 24"H x 38"W Paper size: 17.75"H x 33"W Print Impression: 14.63"H x 29.5"W Utamaro Kitagawa...

Category

18th Century Edo Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). Art

Materials

Rice Paper, Woodcut

Utagawa Kunisada IIIUtagawa Kunisada III (1848-1920) Ukiyo-E Woodblock Print "Portrait Of Samurai"

$450

H 18.5 in W 14.5 in

Utagawa Kunisada III (1848-1920) Ukiyo-E Woodblock Print "Portrait Of Samurai"

By Utagawa Kunisada III

Located in New York, NY

Title: Portrait Of Samurai Medium: Woodblock Print Style: Ukiyo-e Size: 13 1/2"" x 9 1/2"" Frame Size: 18 1/2"" x 14 1/2"" Signature: Kunisada Provenance: Collection from E...

Category

Early 20th Century Other Art Style Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). Art

Materials

Washi Paper, Woodcut

Leonard BaskinDierdre, Surrealist Woodcut Print on Rice Paper by Leonard Baskin, circa 1950

$1,280Sale Price|20% Off

H 40 in W 53.5 in

Dierdre, Surrealist Woodcut Print on Rice Paper by Leonard Baskin

By Leonard Baskin

Located in Long Island City, NY

This woodcut print was created by American artist Leonard Baskin. Baskin is well known for his somewhat grotesque, intricate, surreal drawings and natural subject matter. This print ...

Category

1950s Surrealist Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). Art

Materials

Rice Paper, Woodcut

Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)Annual Events for Young Murasaki (July) - Tales of Genji - Japanese Woodblock, 1857

$975

H 19 in W 13 in D 0.25 in

Annual Events for Young Murasaki (July) - Tales of Genji - Japanese Woodblock

By Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)

Located in Soquel, CA

Annual Events for Young Murasaki (July) - Tales of Genji - Japanese Woodblock Rightmost panel a triptych, depicting monthly events for Wakamurasaki (Young Murasaki). This is the month of July. There appears to be a lesson taking place, possibly for writing or poetry. Artist: Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864) Publisher: Ebisu-ya Shoshichist Presented in a new blue mat. Mat size: 19"H x 13"W Paper size: 14.5"H x 10"W Commentary on the triptych: In the Edo period, Tanabata was designated as one of the five seasonal festivals, and became an annual event for the imperial court, aristocrats, and samurai families, and gradually came to be celebrated by the general public. Its origins are said to be a combination of the Kikoden festival, which originated from the Chinese legend of Altair and the Weaver Girl, and Japan's ancient Tanabata women's faith. Ink is ground with dew that has accumulated on potato leaves, poems and wishes are written on five colored strips of paper, which are then hung on bamboo branches to celebrate the two stars that meet once a year. Although the illustration is a Genji painting...

Category

1850s Realist Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). Art

Materials

Printer's Ink, Rice Paper, Woodcut

Previously Available Items

Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei)'Tama Cat', 1989

Sold

H 9.25 in W 13.25 in

'Tama Cat'

By Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei)

Located in Santa Cruz, CA

Signed, upper left, in kanji, 'Sanjiokina Hiroaki' with stamp below, 'Shotei' for Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei) (Japanese, 1871-1945) and dated upper left in kanji, 'Taisho 13, June' (June 1926). Publication stamped, lower right, in hiragana, 'Watanabe' and titled, 'White Cat, Tama'. Artist: Takahashi Hiroaki (Shōtei) (Given) Piece Name: 白猫（たま）(White Cat, Tama) Date: Taisho 13, June (1924, June) Publisher's impressed stamp, lower left for Watanabe Shozaburo. This Heisei period impression hand-printed from the original wood blocks by the original publisher Watanabe Color Print Co. circa 1989. Note the extensive use of gauffrage (blind embossing) used to depict the cat's fur. Takahashi Shotei...

Category

Late 20th Century Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). Art

Materials

Paper, Woodcut

Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei)Nude Before the Mirror

Sold

H 16.74 in W 11.5 in

Nude Before the Mirror

By Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei)

Located in Burbank, CA

Sometimes titled “Makup before the Mirror”, we see a modern girl (moga) seating herself in front of her mirror while drying her nude body with a towe...

Category

1920s Showa Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). Art

Materials

Mulberry Paper, Color, Woodcut

Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei)Tama The Cat, 1924

Sold

H 10.24 in W 13.98 in

Tama The Cat

By Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei)

Located in Burbank, CA

A white cat eyes the viewer from a seat of comfort. The black background has been printed in the style that shows the swirling marks of the printing baren, done deliberately to offer depth to the design.The blindprinting (gaufrage) is very pronounced in the white fur. As there is the Japanese seal...

Category

1920s Showa Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). Art

Materials

Woodcut

Takahashi Hiroaki (shotei). art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). in handmade paper, paint, paper and more. Not every interior allows for large Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). art, so small editions measuring 5 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Kono Bairei, Yuji Hiratsuka, and Mikio Watanabe. Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $350 and tops out at $350, while the average work can sell for $350.