A rare print from a lesser-known but well-connected artist of the Meiji period, this is “Woman in an Iris Garden” by Ikeda Terukata, part of the series “One Thousand Types of Flowers”… but we’re unable to find others in the series. From other sources, this series was supposedly 12 prints featuring women of all ages in various activities among flowers.
The Woodblock Print
The woodblock print is in good condition, with minor flaws outside of the printed area. Small thinned area/missing area in the left margin, small separation in the right margin. Otherwise this is a light, lovely, and delicate woodblock that seems to be quite rare on the market. Incredible detailed treatment in the umbrella, iris garden, and kimono. Good bleed-through, mostly intact margins, clean verso.
About the Artist
Born in Kobiki-cho, Tokyo, with the given name Ikeda Seishiro, Ikeda Terukata was the son of a joiner. He studied Japanese style painting with Mizuno Toshikata (1866-1908), who gave him the name Terukata, and then with Kawai Gyokudō (1873-1957). Terukata became engaged to the artist Sakakibara Shōen (1886-1917), who took the surname Ikeda after they married, and was also a student of Toshikata. Soon after the engagement, Terukata disappeared from Toshikata’s studio for about five years, during which time he designed kuchi-e, bijin-ga, and triptychs of Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) battles.
Terukata was the teacher of the Japan-based French ukiyo-e artist Paul Jacoulet (1902-1960).
