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Kiyoshi Saito, (1907 - 1997)
Japanese Printmaker, Sosaku Hanga

        Kiyoshi Saito was born in Sakamoto, Fukushima prefecture. He studied Western-style painting at the Hongo Painting Institute and exhibited his oil paintings with various art groups and societies. After having a print accepted by the Kokugakai ("National Picture Association"), Saito began to seriously pursue printmaking. In 1938 he issued his first prints in his now famous "Winter in Aizu" series. His first solo exhibit was held in Tokyo in 1942.

        After steadily gaining recognition, he won first prize in 1951 at the Sao Paulo, Brazil international biennial exhibition for his print called "Steady Gaze," where it won, over both prints and paintings. Saito admired Piet Mondrian and some of Saito's views of buildings and temples seem to display that influence in simplified form. Saito worked primarily in the woodblock medium, while also producing works in collagraph, drypoint, and color and ink paintings. He carved his images into blocks of various woods, either solid katsura or plywood faced with katsura, rawan, yanagi, keyaki, shina, or lauan to obtain a wide range of textures. In some cases he used only one block for all the colors in a design, while for others he needed as many as six different blocks.

        Saito has been widely known for his distinctive style and it is easily recognized by simplified and graceful renditions, usually in tranquil greens, grays or browns. Although his work is well appreciated in Japan, his prints have been especially popular in the West. Saito depicted peaceful images of traditional Japanese gardens, temples and his hometown village of Aizu. He often utilized the grain of the woodblock as an integral part of the design, and employed harmonious lines and shadows to evoke tranquil serenity.

        In every print, he offered his own unique approach to composition. Architectural studies became abstracted, renditions of gardens or temples have an intriguing perspective to add mystery, studies of joyful children include complex fabric patterns, and pathways and tree limbs are offered in provocative juxtaposition to an old thatched roof farmhouse. The viewer is constantly challenged by the artist’s creativity and ingenuity, while at the same time being offered quiet, restful scenes rendered in an easy and affectionate mode. Saito continued to do traditional woodblock printmaking well into his eighties.

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Item #	Pix	Estimated Value	Description	My Best Offer
D01M001		$ 2,200.00	Kiyoshi Saito Woodblock Print Title: Shisendo Kyoto (F) Signature: White Ink at lower left Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: 1965 Edition 91/100 Tagged: Rear right side Tag Statement: Self-carved, Self printed with printed Kiyoshi Saito Size: 17 3/4"H x 23 3/4"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality with no defects	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D01M004		$ 2,200.00	Kiyoshi Saito Woodblock Print Title: Onri-An Arashi-Yama Kyoto (B) Signature: Black Ink at lower right Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: 1964 Edition 95/100 Tagged: Rear left side Tag Statement: Self-carved, Self printed with printed Kiyoshi Saito Size: 17 3/4"H x 23 3/4"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality with no defects	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D01M006		$ 2,200.00	Kiyoshi Saito Woodblock Print Title: Katsura Kyoto Signature: White Ink at lower right Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: 1965 Edition 16/100 Tagged: Rear left side Tag Statement: Self-carved, Self printed with printed Kiyoshi Saito Size: 17 3/4"H x 23 3/4"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality with no defects	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D01M008		$ 2,200.00	Kiyoshi Saito Woodblock Print Title: Onri-An Arashi-Yama Kyoto Signature: Black Ink at lower left Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: 1964 Edition 64/100 Tagged: Rear left side Tag Statement: Self-carved, Self printed with printed Kiyoshi Saito Size: 17 3/4"H x 23 3/4"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality with no defects	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D01M010		$ 550.00	Kiyoshi Saito Woodblock Print Title: No (Subject: Building) Signature: White Ink at lower left Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: No, Purchased in 1965 Edition Unlimited Tagged: No Tag Statement: N/A Size: 17"H x 11 1/2"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality with no defects	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D01M023		$ 550.00	Kiyoshi Saito Woodblock Print Title: No (Subject: Dachshund Facing Forward) Signature: White Ink at top left Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: No, Purchased in 1965 Edition Unlimited Tagged: No Tag Statement: N/A Size: 11 1/2"H x 17"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality with staple marks in 4 corners	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D01M027		$ 550.00	Kiyoshi Saito Woodblock Print Title: No (Subject: Boy child with Baby on Back) Signature: Pencil at lower left Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: No, Purchased in 1965 Edition Unlimited Tagged: No Tag Statement: N/A Size: 17"H x 11 1/2"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality with no defects	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D01M028		$ 550.00	Kiyoshi Saito Woodblock Print Title: No (Subject: Girl child with Baby on Back) Signature: Pencil at lower left Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: No, Purchased in 1965 Edition Unlimited Tagged: No Tag Statement: N/A Size: 17"H x 11 1/2"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality with no defects	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D01M029		$ 550.00	Kiyoshi Saito Woodblock Print Title: No (Subject: Child in Snow Suit) Signature: Pencil at lower left Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: No, Purchased in 1965 Edition Unlimited Tagged: No Tag Statement: N/A Size: 17"H x 11 1/2"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality with no defects	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D01M030		$ 350.00	Kiyoshi Saito Woodblock Print Title: Haniwa (7) Signature: Pencil at lower left Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: No, Purchased in 1965 Edition Unlimited Tagged: No Tag Statement: N/A Size: 15"H x 9 1/2"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality with no defects	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D01M031		$ 350.00	Kiyoshi Saito Woodblock Print Title: Haniwa (6) Signature: Pencil at lower left Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: No, Purchased in 1965 Edition Unlimited Tagged: No Tag Statement: N/A Size: 15"H x 9 1/2"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality with no defects	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D01M034		$ 550.00	Kiyoshi Saito Woodblock Print Title: Haniwa (3) Signature: White Ink at lower left Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: No, Purchased in 1965 Edition Unlimited Tagged: No Tag Statement: N/A Size: 11 1/2"H x 17"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality with staple marks in 4 corners	Click HERE to make an offer on this item

Jun'ichiro Sekino, (1914 - 1988)
Japanese Printmaker, Sosaku Hanga

        Jun'ichiro Sekino was born in Aomori. He made woodblock prints with friends while still in middle school. He moved to Tokyo in 1939 after winning a 1936 Teiten prize for an etching. He studied woodblock print techniques with Koshiro Onchi and Munakata, both of whom he worked from time to time as a printer. It was from Onchi that Sekino reported he had learned the "spirit of art."

        When looking at many of Sekino's large format prints, one can recognize elements of Onchi's style. Sekino's technique, like Onchi's, involved soft edge overprintings with various shades of colors for the modeling of the face. This was a complex method requiring carved-out shallow depressions in the blocks and nuanced shading of pigments as he applied them to the blocks in multiple overprintings.

         Sekino was represented in many international competitions in Tokyo, Ljubljana, and elsewhere. He won wide acclaim in the United States after World War II for his woodblocks. He was a prolific printmaker in styles ranging from detailed portraits in the late 1940's and early 1950's to semiabstract prints with greater emphasis in pattern and design after the mid-1950's. Due to the complexity of printing and Sekino's own sense of experimentation, each impression of a Sekino print varies somewhat in the choice and density of colors and quality.

Category
Item #	Pix	Estimated Value	Description	My Best Offer
D02M001		$ 2,500.00	Jun'ichiro Sekino Woodblock Print Title: no title (Subject: Bunraku Theater of Puppets) Signature: Pencil at lower right Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: no date (purchased 1965) Edition 93/100 Tagged: no tag Tag Statement: no statement Size: 21 1/2"H x 28 1/2"W Condition: Very good, as-printed quality w/corner fold mark in right corner	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D02M002		$ 2,200.00	Jun'ichiro Sekino Woodblock Print Title: no title (Subject: Christ on Cross, Newspaper background) Signature: Pencil at lower right Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: no date (purchased 1965) Edition 29/100 Tagged: no tag Tag Statement: no statement Size: 27"H x 25"W Condition: Very good, as-printed quality w/margin tape marks at top & bottom center, Margin wrinkles at lower right & left	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D02M003		$ 2,200.00	Jun'ichiro Sekino Woodblock Print Title: no title (Subject: Cemetery with city skyline) Signature: Pencil at lower right Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: no date (purchased 1965) Edition 26/100 Tagged: no tag Tag Statement: no statement Size: 15 1/2"H x 22"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality w/no defects	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D02M004		$ 2,200.00	Jun'ichiro Sekino Woodblock Print Title: no title (Subject: Four black, grey, white tiers of city buildings) Signature: White Ink at lower right Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: no date (purchased 1965) Edition 43/100 Tagged: no tag Tag Statement: no statement Size: 25"H x 18"W Condition: Very good, as-printed quality w/slight edge wrinkles at top & bottom	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D02M005		$ 2,000.00	Jun'ichiro Sekino Woodblock Print Title: no title (Subject: Picaso style of boy, girl & owl) Signature: Pencil at lower right Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: no date (purchased 1965) Edition 17/50 Tagged: no tag Tag Statement: no statement Size: 21"H x 27"W Condition: Very good, as-printed quality w/corner fold mark in right top corner	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D02M006		$ 1,800.00	Jun'ichiro Sekino Woodblock Print Title: no title (Subject: Futuristic eagle) Signature: White Ink at lower right Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: no date (purchased 1965) Edition 84/100 Tagged: no tag Tag Statement: no statement Size: 12"H x 24"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality w/no defects, in frame	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D02M007		$ 550.00	Jun'ichiro Sekino Woodblock Print Title: no title (Subject: Girl w/Red Birds) Signature: Pencil at lower right Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: no date (purchased 1965) Edition Unlimited Tagged: no tag Tag Statement: no statement Size: 18"H x 12 1/2"W Condition: Very good, as-printed quality w/no defects	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D02M008		$ 550.00	Jun'ichiro Sekino Woodblock Print Title: no title (Subject: Girl w/Bird's Nest) Signature: Pencil at lower right Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: no date (purchased 1965) Edition Unlimited Tagged: no tag Tag Statement: no statement Size: 18"H x 12 1/2"W Condition: Very good, as-printed quality w/no defects	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D02M009		$ 400.00	Jun'ichiro Sekino Woodblock Print Title: no title (Subject: Girl w/Cat) Signature: Pencil at lower right Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: no date (purchased 1965) Edition Unlimited Tagged: no tag Tag Statement: no statement Size: 12 1/2"H x 9"W Condition: Very good, as-printed quality w/no defects	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D02M010		$ 400.00	Jun'ichiro Sekino Woodblock Print Title: no title (Subject: Cat w/Kitten) Signature: Pencil at lower right Sealed: Yes, above signature Dated: no date (purchased 1965) Edition Unlimited Tagged: no tag Tag Statement: no statement Size: 9"H x 12 1/2"W Condition: Very good, as-printed quality w/no defects	Click HERE to make an offer on this item

Toshi Yoshida, (1911 - 1995)
Japanese Printmaker, Sosaku Hanga

        Toshi Yoshida was born in Tokyo. He studied oil painting with his father, Hiroshi Yoshida and block carving with Maeda Yujiro. He traveled widely in India, Europe and the United States and was represented in international competitions in Switzerland, Australia, Canada and Mexico. After his father's death in 1950, he felt free to experiment with abstract designs, quite different from his earlier landscapes. He designed 289 abstract prints in his career, most between 1954 and 1969. There are amazing variations in these prints, although through the years certain unifying themes emerge. Unlike Toshi's earlier designs, many of these prints were published in limited, numbered editions. He is an artist of great breadth and vision.

        Known primarily for his woodblock prints, he was also a remarkable painter and illustrator. His style cannot be easily summarized, because he was constantly innovating and pushing the boundaries of the woodblock medium. His work ranges from realistic landscapes to imaginative abstract designs to detailed portraits of animals in their environments. There was quite a difference between Toshi and his father, Hiroshi, and this difference is more prominant in their art. Compared to the misty grandeur of Hiroshi's perfectly composed prints, Toshi's early landscapes are very down-to-earth and straightforward. Toshi was masterful at depicting the charm of ordinary life. Occasionally, he depicted famous landmarks, but his prints focused on the human element rather than the monumental.

Category
Item #	Pix	Estimated Value	Description	My Best Offer
D03M001		$ 1,100.00	Toshi Yoshida Woodblock Print Title: Space & Movement Signature: in Pencil Dated: 1963 Edition 5/30 Size: 18"H x 34 1/2"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D03M002		$ 1,100.00	Toshi Yoshida Woodblock Print Title: Space & Formm Signature: in Pencil Dated: 1963 Edition 2/30 Size: 34 1/2"H x 18"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D03M003		$ 300.00	Toshi Yoshida Woodblock Print Title: E Signature: in Pencil Dated: 1962 Edition unlimited Size: 15"H x 6"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D03M004		$ 300.00	Toshi Yoshida Woodblock Print Title: K Signature: in Pencil Dated: 1962 Edition unlimited Size: 15"H x 6"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D03M005		$ 550.00	Toshi Yoshida Woodblock Print Title: Image E Signature: in Pencil Dated: 1958 Edition unlimited Size: 22"H x 16"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D03M006		$ 800.00	Toshi Yoshida Woodblock Print Title: Through Time Signature: in Pencil Dated: 1962 Edition 7/50 Size: 22"H x 16"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D03M007		$ 800.00	Toshi Yoshida Woodblock Print Title: Mystery Signature: in Ink on Drawing Dated: 1964 Edition Artist's Proof Size: 22"H x 15 1/2"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality	Click HERE to make an offer on this item

Kaoru Kawano, (1916 - 1965)
Japanese Printmaker, Sosaku Hanga

        Kaoru Kawano was born in Otaru, Hokkaido and in 1934 began his studies at the Kawabata Art School. In 1944 his prints were first accepted by the Japan Print Association. By the 1950's, he began to exhibit more frequently in solo exhibitions and international competitions. Many of his prints lean toward the sentimental, particularly his depiction of young children. Some of his best works are restrained and introduce an effective balance of design elements, some slightly sculptural in quality and arrangement. In many of his prints, he makes effective use of woodgrain patterns for both the background and the body of his subject. This provides both depth and texture to his designs.

        Another element of his work was his simplification of form and shape. They are always in balance which adds a certain movement and slight tension to his compositions. Overall his prints are a pleasing balance among many elements creating a satisfying and timeless feeling. Most of his prints are signed or sealed and many are self-carved and self-printed.

Category
Item #	Pix	Estimated Value	Description	My Best Offer
D04M001		$ 250.00	Kaoru Kawano Woodblock Print Title: Girl and Shell Signature: In Pencil lower right Sealed: Lower right Dated: circa 1960 Edition Unlimited Size: 16"H x 11"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality, staple holes/4 corners	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D04M002		$ 250.00	Kaoru Kawano Woodblock Print Title: Two Ducks Signature: In Pencil lower right Sealed: Lower right Dated: circa 1960 Edition Unlimited Size: 11"H x 16"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D04M003		$ 250.00	Kaoru Kawano Woodblock Print Title: Girl with Red Mask Signature: In Pencil lower right Sealed: Lower left Dated: circa 1960 Edition Unlimited Size: 11"H x 16"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D04M004		$ 250.00	Kaoru Kawano Woodblock Print Title: Girl Tree with Woodpeckers Signature: In Pencil lower right Sealed: Lower right Dated: circa 1960 Edition Unlimited Size: 16"H x 11"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality, staple holes/4 corners	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D04M005		$ 250.00	Kaoru Kawano Woodblock Print Title: Girl Shell Signature: In Pencil lower right Sealed: Lower right Dated: circa 1960 Edition Unlimited Size: 11"H x 16"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality, staple holes/4 corners	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D04M006		$ 250.00	Kaoru Kawano Woodblock Print Title: Baby with Red Bloom Signature: In Pencil lower right Sealed: Lower right Dated: circa 1960 Edition Unlimited Size: 11"H x 16"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality, staple holes/4 corners	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D04M008		$ 250.00	Kaoru Kawano Woodblock Print Title: Girl and Two Birds Signature: In Pencil lower left Sealed: Lower left Dated: circa 1960 Edition Unlimited Size: 16"H x 11"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality, staple holes/4 corners	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D04M009		$ 230.00	Kaoru Kawano Woodblock Print Title: Girl and Yellow Bird Signature: None Sealed: Lower right Dated: circa 1960 Edition Unlimited Size: 16"H x 11"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D04M010		$ 230.00	Kaoru Kawano Woodblock Print Title: Kneeling Nude Signature: In Pencil lower left Sealed: Lower left Dated: circa 1960 Edition Unlimited Size: 16"H x 11"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D04M011		$ 250.00	Kaoru Kawano Woodblock Print Title: Girl with Woodpeckers Signature: In Pencil lower right Sealed: Lower right Dated: circa 1960 Edition Unlimited Size: 16"H x 11"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality, staple holes/4 corners	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D04M012		$ 250.00	Kaoru Kawano Woodblock Print Title: Godess Holding Vase Signature: In Pencil lower right Sealed: Lower right Dated: circa 1960 Edition Unlimited Size: 16"H x 11"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality, staple holes/4 corners	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D04M013		$ 250.00	Kaoru Kawano Woodblock Print Title: Girl with Blossom Signature: In Pencil lower right Sealed: Lower right Dated: circa 1960 Edition Unlimited Size: 16"H x 11"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality, staple holes/4 corners	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D04M014		$ 250.00	Kaoru Kawano Woodblock Print Title: Dancer Brown Kamono Signature: In Pencil lower right Sealed: Lower right Dated: circa 1960 Edition Unlimited Size: 16"H x 11"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D04M015		$ 250.00	Kaoru Kawano Woodblock Print Title: Woman Red Kamono Signature: In Pencil lower left Sealed: Lower right Dated: circa 1960 Edition Unlimited Size: 16"H x 11"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality, staple holes/4 corners	Click HERE to make an offer on this item
D04M016		$ 250.00	Kaoru Kawano Woodblock Print Title: Woman Yellow Kamono Signature: In Pencil lower right Sealed: Lower right Dated: circa 1960 Edition Unlimited Size: 16"H x 11"W Condition: Excellent, as-printed quality, staple holes/4 corners	Click HERE to make an offer on this item

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