This large vintage woodblock print is a scarce design by Hironaga Takehiko. The artist's red seal is within print, with his hand-signed signature and date in the bottom right margin; the title mid-bottom margin; and the edition number to the bottom left margin. It is a lovely impression and retains its aesthetic appeal.
The print is untrimmed with full margins and is unbacked, though lightly taped across the top edge verso. There are no tears, staining or soiling, but its condition is not 100% fine due to creasing in various parts - it seems likely that the print was rolled and travelled in a suitcase back from Japan, then subsequently framed? The scarcity and appeal in-frame does somewhat offset these condition flaws, however, though I have reflected its good+ condition in the listing price. My opinion is that when framed, it displays to beautiful efffect.
The print itself measures 45.75cm x 61cm; the print in mount 51.5cm x 67.75cm; and the existing frame measures 60.5cm x 74.5cm.
I have costed the print to send without frame and mount. The frame is substantial and heavy, yet, should you want it fully complete in frame, we can discuss additional shipping costs (please note, there are few marks on the frame which can easily be restored). I will send well packed or loosely rolled, depending on buying option, and with tracking. I estimate the shipping with frame to the UK to be around £35 and to the rest of the world around £110. (UK buyers please bear in mind that you may be subject to additional VAT).
Hironaga Takehiko - Born in Fukushima prefecture, Hironaga is self-taught and began woodblock printing in 1970. He is known for his quiet scenes of rural life and his style is very much in the shin hanga aesthetic but sosaku hanga production, influenced in turn by the renowned Kiyoshi Saito. Hironaga's life goal was to graphically preserve the historical minka 'houses of the people'. And for several decades, he travelled throughout Japan sketching scenes from which he would choose his prints.