<b>NAITERU KI</b> / Shigeru Hatsuyama1950s$850</em>

Details

Shigeru Hatsuyama is most known as a children's book illustrator with a prolific and commercially successful output. He originally started with newspaper illustrations. His association with Koshiro Onchi solidified his interest in self-directed creative prints. Through the late 40s to 60s, Hatsuyama produced dozens of self-produced designs in woodblock prints. Hatsuyama's aesthetics gravitate toward charming imaginative designs that explore the world of fantasy. Their child-like innocence and whimsical qualities stand out in the Sosaku Hanga genre.

In this design, Hatsuyama introduces the viewer to an enchanted tree. The bold yellow background sets the stage for the magic of the composition. The tree is rendered in wavy lines, quite convincingly mimicking a youthful bark, while his little roots and small branches protrude out in an adolescent zeal. The title of the print, Naiteiru Ki, written at the bottom by the artist, suggests the question or statement: "Why are you crying?!" The charming design personifies the tree and grants it a child-like personality that endears the composition to the viewer as an image of a child or a baby animal might do. 

Connoisseur's Note

This impression bolsters fresh and vivid colors and a remarkable design. Hatsuyama's main source of income was in book illustrations. Consequently, his prints were produced in remarkably small outputs. Although this impression is numbered 7/15, this small edition was most likely never completed. This print is striking as it is rare.