Vintage Japanese Woodblock Print by Toyokuni I- Rain in the 5th Month- Takamizawa Reprint c. 1952
This beautiful Japanese full oban-size original woodblock print was created by the renowned Edo-period artist Utagawa Toyokuni (1769 - 1825), also known as Toyokuni I. He was one of the most prominent artists and printmakers and the second head master of the Utagawa school during the Edo era (1600-1868). He also taught printmaking. Among his pupils were such famous artists as Kunisada I and Kuniyoshi, who adopted his art name in the traditional Japanese manner - taking a part of the name of their teacher.
Toyokuni I was best known for his prints related to the kabuki theatre, particularly his yakusha-e actor portraits, a field he took to new heights. He also produced other genres, such as musha-e warrior prints, shunga erotica, and most notably bijin-ga.
This print is a part of the series "Junimai tsuzuki" (Twelve Months). A beautiful woman leans against a pillar, engrossed in a letter, in this print by Toyokuni. Cool May rain falls around her and, almost not noticing it, she continues to read, one foot over another in a pose that suggests she is truly lost in thought. The fact that we can see leaves hanging from the eaves suggests that it may be the night before Tango no Sekku (Boys' Day, held on May 5), when bundles of Japanese iris were hung under the eaves.
Many museums in the world have Toyokuni I works:
British Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY
Museum of Fine Arts in Boston
Tokyo National Museum
Museum of Fine Arts in Houston
Honolulu Museum of Art
and many others
A copy of this print is kept at the MFA and Tokyo Metro Library.
This print was made using the Japanese woodblock technique by Takamizawa Mokuhansha Publishing Company, famous for beautiful and highly accurate reprints of classic ukiyo-e works. Takamizawa carvers and printers were highly skilled and knowledgeable, producing excellent-quality woodblock prints. In the early 1900s, Takamizawa created reprints of Hokusai and Hiroshige's famous works so precise they fooled expert collectors like Frank Lloyd Wright.
This particular print was created in 1952 for the large collection called "Masterpieces of Ukiyo-e". The Takamizawa seal is on verso (see pics). A great opportunity to acquire a fine reprint of a classic ukiyo-e design.
AUTHOR: Utagawa Toyokuni I
PUBLISHER: Kawachiya Genshichi
TITLE: "Rain in the Fifth Month" (Satsuki ame no zu)
ORIGINAL PUBLISHER: Nishimuraya Yohachi (Eijudō)
CREATED: 1813
PAPER: washi paper
METHOD OF PRINTING: Woodblock printing
PRINTED BY: Takamizawa Mokuhansha Publishing Company in 1952
PRINT SIZE: 14.5" X 9.5"
The condition is fair. The colors are somewhat faded, and the paper is toned and greasy. There are severa tears at the edges and a small corner piece is missing. Please look at the pictures - they are the best way to see the condition.
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