Kyoto Folding Fan Shop Onishitsune

Description

The design of this print originates from a photograph, then carved into woodblocks and printed by Shoichi Kitamura. As such, this print departs from the more traditional process, where the original design is done by an artist. It is the first print of the Foto-Hanga series, of which the prints are all made in this way. These prints demonstrate the mastery of Kitamura as a carver and printer, allowing him to capture details normally only achievable through photography. The imperfections of the walls, the wooden materials and the rough stone surface seem almost tangible. It represents one of the more recent steps in woodblock printing, combining innovation with supreme artisanship.