Art

Item Description

Artist: Tokuriki Tomikichiro (1902–1999)

Woodblock Print Title: Fun Moon Viewed at the Temple Kiyomizu, from portfolio, "15 Views of Kyoto," c1950. Signed in plate to the lower left-hand corner. From a series with 15 views of Kyoto, the sheet "Kiyomizu dera" (Kiyomizu Temple). Entrance gate to the temple in the light of the moon.

Excellent impression with blind printing (moon), bokashi, and baren printing lines.
Woodblock print on fine Japanese paper card stock.

Size: 9.5"w x 10.5"h

Date of this edition: 1950

Publisher: Uchida Han

Condition: Very Good. Sun discoloration, congruent with age. Mounting tape residue to reverse border.

The Art of Tokuriki Tomikichiro
Tokuriki Tomikichiro's art serves as an important bridge between the two great movements of Japanese art in the early 20th century: shin hanga and sosaku hanga. Like the classic shin hanga masters of the day, Tokuriki designed many woodcuts of landscapes and city views in the traditional manner. However, he actively promoted sosaku hanga (creative prints) in Kyoto, emphasizing the artist's participation in the entire process of printmaking and exploring more modern styles and trends.

Biography
Tokuriki Tomikichiro was born in Kyoto, where he always worked.
The last of a long line of traditional-style painters, Tokuriki turned early to woodblock prints and became a leader of Kyoto's Sosaku Hanga movement. He graduated from the Kyoto City School of Fine Arts and Crafts and the Kyoto City Specialist School of Painting in 1924.

He studied Nihonga painting under Tsuchida Bakusen (1887–1936) and Yamamoto Shunkyo (1871–1933). In 1929, he transitioned to woodblock printing, influenced by Hiratsuka Un’ichi, and began contributing to the early print magazine Han.

Tokuriki was a member of Nihon Hanga Kyokai from 1932 and a prominent promoter of Sosaku Hanga in Kyoto. He co-founded the Kyoto magazine Taishu Hanga in 1932, encouraging the Creative Print Movement in Kyoto. He produced notable series such as Shin Kyoto Fukei ("New View of Kyoto," 1933–1934) and Tokyo Hakkei ("Eight Views of Tokyo," 1942), many published by Uchida of Kyoto.

After World War II, Tokuriki founded his own publishing company, Matsukyu, which also taught block carving to artisans and artists, including many foreigners.

In 1948, he established a sub-company, Koryokusha, which supported artists under the Matsukyu financial umbrella. Tokuriki continued teaching, writing, and producing articles on print techniques, including a long-running series in Hanga Geijutsu magazine during the 1970s.

Later Works:
Hanga Kyoto Hyakkei ("One Hundred Print Views of Kyoto," 1975).