SHIMURA -- Late Summer (#3)

(Click HERE for additional image)
(Click HERE for additional image)
Artist SHIMURA Tatsumi (1907-80)
Title "Late Summer"
("Natsutakete")
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 10 x 14 7/8 (plus wide margins)
Impression Very Fine. Skillfully over-printed hairlines; superb "bokashi" (gradation of colors) shading to face and fan ("uchiwa"); light "gauffrage" to outline of kimono; 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 #263.
Comments A stunning technical masterpiece--one of a lifetime total of 5 "bijin-ga" images (all 1953). Here, the title of "Late Summer" cleverly alludes to Hokusai's famous "Red Fuji" print seen on the woman's fan. 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-352
Price $1900 (Sold)