<b>FIREWORKS</b> / Tokushi Katsuhirac. 1930s$1,000</em>

Details

Tokushi Katsuhira was a self-taught woodblock print artist closely associated with the mingei, or Japanese folk art tradition. Working within the Sosaku Hanga idiom, Katsuhira self-directed his prints by carving and printing his own blocks. His work often focused on rural people—villagers and craftsmen—who preserved the traditions of old Japan. Much like the work of some Shin Hanga artists such as Hasui, there is a strong sense of nostalgia for simpler times in his designs. 

In this work Katsuhira captures a charming scene of fireworks above a tranquil town near a river. A stately willow tree stands next to a large home, where silhouetted figures can be seen in the windows, admiring the night’s festivities. Below, more silhouetted figures move towards the riverside, drawn by the bright blaze of fireworks illuminating the sky. The design is executed in muted hues of green, blue, and yellow, evoking a palpable sense of summer humidity in Japan on a festive evening. The delicate interplay of light and shadow, combined with Katsuhira’s masterful use of color and his naïve, self-taught style, brings this serene yet vibrant scene to life, making it a captivating depiction of a quintessential Japanese summer celebration of days gone by.

Connoisseur's Note

This print, like all of Katsuhira’s work, is self-carved and self-printed. The production of his print designs was always in small, manageable runs. As such, all of Katsuhira’s prints are quite rare.