<b>PICTURES OF THE TAISHO EARTHQUAKE</b> / Josen Hamada 1926<b>SOLD</b></em>

Details

The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, a catastrophic event in Japanese history, profoundly impacted the realms of photography and printmaking. In its aftermath, photographers documented the widespread destruction, capturing haunting images of the devastation and human resilience, reflecting a new era of social consciousness and realism in Japanese photography. The disaster also played a pivotal role in revitalizing traditional woodblock printmaking, inspiring artists to create powerful and emotionally charged prints that depicted the earthquake's aftermath, offering a bridge between the past and present by blending traditional techniques with contemporary subject matter. This seismic event thus left an indelible mark on Japanese art, pushing it towards greater social engagement and a fusion of modern and traditional artistic sensibilities.

This group of 19 woodblock prints from the set of 25 features bold and compelling designs that highlight the tragedy of the Great Kanto Earthquake. In many cases, the strongly stylized vision Hamada advances greatly contributes to capturing the unimaginable scope of the disaster and its emotional toll.

Connoisseur's Note

This group of 19 woodblock prints comes with the original colophon. The prints retain their original album backing. The print’s colors and condition are in excellent state of preservation.