This woodblock is a striking modern design by Taizo Minagawa from his series “Twelve Views of Kyoto,” published by Unsodo in 1964. Taizo earned fame as a dyer, producing textile designs using wax resist, and also created a number of woodblock prints with a similar style. Minakawa incorporates simplified blocks of color and strong black outlines with a handsome use of negative space to create a bold modern style. His striking designs are a terrific choice to collect or display.
The Woodblock Print
While we’ve categorized the print as an oban, it actually measures 11 1/8″ x 13 3/4″ plus the sizable margins as shown. The print is in very good condition with intact margins, vibrant color, and the only discoloration from old tape stains on the verso (a bit of them show through to the front margins at the top, but minor).
About the Artist
Taizo Minagawa was born in Kyoto in 1917 and graduated from the Kyoto City School of Arts and Crafts. While he is best known as a weaver and textile dyer in Japan, he also produced sosaku-hanga woodblock prints during the 20th century.
