SHIMURA -- Start of the Dance (Covered Head)

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(Click HERE for additional image)
Artist SHIMURA Tatsumi (1907-80)
Title "Start of the Dance" ("Maihajime"); Also know as: "Covered Head" ("Houkaburi").
Date 1953 (Limited edition of 200 prints)
Series "Five Figures of Modern Beauties" ("Gendai Bijin Fuzoku Gotai")
Publisher Nihon Hanga Kenkyusho (Kato Junji) (Tokyo, 1930-53)
Seal, Carver/Printer Nakagawa/Onodera (active c1940-c55, Tokyo)
Image Size 9 7/8 x 14 5/8 (plus wide margins)
Impression Very Fine. Skillfully over-printed hairlines; superb "bokashi" (gradation of colors) shading to face and head-covering; light "gauffrage" to edges of head-covering; distinctly visible woodgrain seen in red kimono and grey background; highly detailed carving. Large, deeply embossed "kanji title" in center bottom margin.
Condition Excellent. (No flaws noted--Still in original "presentation folder.")
Reference/Illus "The Female Image," Plate #260.
Comments A delightful, technical masterpiece--one of a lifetime total of 5 "bijin-ga" images (all 1953). Published only once, as a small limited edition (200 copies) in the early-1950's by Nihon Hanga Kenkyusho Publisher (Kato Junji) of Tokyo. Rarely seen. Roach: "His prints are technical marvels." (Learn more.)
Item # BG-302
Price $1850 (Sold)