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Antiquarian, Rare & Collectable Books, and South East Asian Art & Antiques
Antiquarian, Rare & Collectable Books, and South East Asian Art & Antiques
Large Surimono with Lacquer: Shibata Zeshin: Okina (Long Life Noh Mask), 1875-1890. 柴田 是真

Large Surimono with Lacquer: Shibata Zeshin: Okina (Long Life Noh Mask), 1875-1890. 柴田 是真

LAN9173
£300.00 - £300.00
£300.00
£300.00 - £300.00
£300.00

Shibata Zeshin (柴田 是真): Large Surimono with Lacquer - Okina, (1875-1890). A very attractive Japanese woodblock, by the artist sometimes known as 'Japan's greatest lacquerer'.

This is a print issued by Hana Kurabe in Tokyo from 1875 - 1890 and depicts an Okina (Long Life Noh Mask). Its black colour suggests it is of the Kokushikijyo type with a movable jaw. The Japanese Noh Okina, feaures divine characters who dance for peace, prosperity, and safety.

Signature: Zeshin. Seal: Tairyukyo. Inscribed: At the age of 80.

Obtained from a catalogue published by Milne Henderson during an exhibition of Prints, Paintings and Lacquer by Shibata Zeshin, 25 July - 9 July (sic) 1976.

On the occasion of Zeshin's 80th birthday a great number of friends from various parts of Japan each wrote one haiku. Underneath in Katakana, are the places from which each came, under each haiku is the signature of the person who composed it. The number of haiku (therefore the number of friends) signifies Zeshin's importance. This is one of the prints issued by Hana Kurabe in Tokyo from 1875 - 1890.

The Hana Kurabe prints are similar to surimono in their exploitation of just one theme in each design and in the extreme skill and lavishness which were expended on the surimono and printing. 

This print utilises lacquer on the Okina mask and the paper is fine quality hosho paper; the same used on expensive published surimono of the times.

Dimensions: 387mm high x 555mm wide.

Weight: Approximately 44g (unpacked).

Condition: Very good overall - some minor age discoloration to extremities and on the rear are the remains of fixing tape from previous framing. Flattened fold marks (from original folds). Will be folded along the main vertical central fold for despatch. Please note there are 6 small pinholes along both left and right hand side of the print - these are symmetrical and align perfectly with each other when the print is folded in half along the central vertical fold.