<b>NIGHT IN IKENOHATA</b> / Ito Shinsui1921<b>SOLD</b></em>

Details

In Shinsui's evocative woodblock print, a captivating scene unfolds as a traveling musician serenades at the entrance of a local restaurant. Dusk envelops the surroundings, with the last remnants of daylight fading. The musician, engrossed in their performance, skillfully plays the shamisen, filling the air with melodic notes that resonate through the evening air. Soft, warm light emanates from the restaurant, casting a gentle glow that delicately illuminates the scene. It drifts across the composition like the enticing scent of the evening's delicacies, inviting passersby to pause and immerse themselves in the enchanting ambiance.

Connoisseur's Note

This print is a rare pre-earthquake impression, showcasing the highest level of craftsmanship from Watanabe's workshop. Pay close attention to the skillful bokashi in the sky and ground, as well as the yellow in the light. Moreover, the using of light on this composition is just dazzling. The razor-sharp impression, coupled with these printing embellishments, exemplifies the pinnacle of print production in 20th-century Japan.

As with all pre-earthquake prints, this print is among the rarest works in shin hanga, as the earthquake destroyed Watanabe’s studio along with the original blocks and unsold inventory. Only prints sold before the earthquake and removed from Tokyo, as most of the city was destroyed by the ensuing fires, survived. Further bolstering the desirability of this work is its near-pristine condition—this print was kept together in archival folders, never framed or displayed for extended periods.