SHIMURA -- "Start of the Dance" (Covered Head) (#3)

(Click HERE for additional image)
(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)
Provenance Found in small Tokyo print shop.
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-714 (Reserved--SP) (Currently our final copy.)
Price $1850