Stampa xilografica (ristampa commemorativa pubblicata da Ishukankokai) - Carta - Torii Kotondo (1900-1976) - "Botan Yuki" 牡丹雪 (Peony Snowflakes) - From the series "Twelve Aspects of Women" - Giappone - degli anni ottanta

Woodblock print (Ishukankokai Published Limited Commemorative Reprint) - Torii Kotondo (1900-1976) - "Botan Yuki" 牡丹雪 (Peony Snowflakes) - From the series "Twelve Aspects of Women" - Japan - 1980s

Reference: image number 181 from the book "The Female Image: 20th Century Prints of Japanese Beauties"

The original is from 1931

The print offered is a later impression of a limited edition (only 100 copies).　

Publisher: Ishukankokai (with red 'money bag' seal and watermark)　
Woodcarver: Ito Susumu 伊藤進　
Printer: Watanabe Yoshiaki 渡辺義明　

Kotondo's signature and seal in the image　

Torii Kotondo is one of the most famous shin-hanga artists of the 20th century.　 He excelled in the art of women's prints.　 His output is limited and only consists of a total of 22 works. Moreover, the number of prints produced from each image was only 100 (so even fewer offered prints, please see above), after which the blocks were destroyed. Original Kotondo prints are one of the most sought after woodblock images today and very expensive.

With permission of Kotondo's heirs, a small commemorative edition of 12 of his prints was produced by Publisher Ishukankokai (only 100 sets of the 12 images, the woodblocks were destroyed afterwards). These reprints were made according to the exact same standards as the originals. Expert woodcarvers were contracted and they produced woodblocks of the highest quality. The printers then made the reprints with the same attention to quality and detail as the originals. These fantastically beautiful reprints, printed on handmade paper, have the same colours and mica details as the originals.

The print offered comes from this commemorative edition.　 According to all sources about this commemorative edition, the size of it is only 100 pieces.　 That makes this print rare and it only sporadically appears on the market　

The print is sold with its original presentation folder.　 The print is stored in a beautiful inner folder enclosed in paper and protective lining and a sturdy outer folder.　 Please see photos 13-15

Large oban size:　
Image dimensions, margins not included: 25.1 x 40.6 cm
Total dimensions: 33 x 48.5 cm

Comment: The term "peony snowflakes" is a Japanese expression referring to large wet snowflakes that look like peony petals. Without a doubt one of Kotondo's best and most sought after designs. A truly beautiful and perfect Japanese Bijin-ga print

Impression: fantastic "bokashi" shading across the entire design. Use of "gaffrage" in the kimono and edges of the umbrella. Beautifully coloured in soft tones. Highly detailed woodblock print, have a look at the separate hairs, for instance. A perfect duplication of Kotondo's original.

The woodblock print is in excellent condition. Please see the images for details.　

The woodblock print will be shipped by registered post, in sturdy cardboard packaging.