<b>THE MOON OVER KUSATSU IN TOKAIDO</b> / Eisho Narazaki1930<B>SOLD</B></em>

Details

A figure holds a lit lantern at the bottom of the composition as he faces the snow-covered bridge. He pauses for a moment before negotiating its incline while a dog and another figure carrying a heavy load prepare to follow suit. The night is lit by a waxing moon--nearly full, the snow-covered composition is bathed in moonlight, showcasing the contours of the town.

Narazaki utilizes the tanzaku format of the composition to highlight the stretch of mountains behind the town. The open space of this long vertical format also provides ample opportunity to showcase the wonderful atmospheric quality woodblocks can imbue onto prints. In particular, the smoke-like clouds that pass softly across the sky are quite convincing, as is the haze-like atmosphere contained within the overall composition created by the strong woodgrain pattern in the background.

Connoisseur's Note

This impression is in a fine state of preservation with exceedingly sharp and vivid colors and in overall excellent condition.