Kasamatsu Shiro – Fuji Yoshida

Original woodblock print. The first edition of this design was published in 1958. The current print is from the first edition.

The print shows Mount Fuji as seen from Fujiyoshida, a small town near it, that has been build on top of old hardened lava from the Mount Fuji itself.

The houses look small against the backdrop of the imposing Mount Fuji. Before it an endearing figure is standing, with close to it an even smaller child, surrounded by, most likely, family, civilization and nature at the same time. Eventhough the figures look tiny within this composition, it exudes warmth, with an inviting light radiating from the house towards them.

Image size (excluding margins): 36.8 * 24.4 cm (14.5 * 9.6 in).

The print is in very good state. On the back there are two remnants of a previous mounting, possibly to its original presentation folder.

The pictures shown here are from the print itself.

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Kasamatsu Shiro (1898-1991) was a prolific and famous woodblock artist. When only aged thirteen he started as an apprentice. He could trace part of his artistic lineage back via Kaburagi and Yoshitoshi, connecting him to the great Ukiyo-e masters of the 19th century.

He created many prints in the Shin-Hanga style. Many of these depicted traditional themes like landscapes and temples, but within that Shiro displayed great diversity. His prints in the period of 1952-1960 in this style were very successful. This enabled him to experiment and he started working in the Sōsaku-Hanga (creative prints) movement as well, not only designing but also carving and printing himself.

See an overview of Kasamatsu Shiro's woodblock prints