A peaceful prewar scene of Shinjuku with Japanese in traditional attire visiting shops and restaurants. The array of glowing lanterns and bustling storefronts is most evocative of this specific time and place. Although there are many posthumous editions of this design, including some printed very recently, this one is pencil-signed by the artist, so it is an early, lifetime edition.
The Woodblock Print
This chuban-sized woodblock is in excellent condition. Beautiful, unfaded color, only slight toning lines in the margins. Full margins, a mostly clean verso with the remnants of archival hinges at the top. Pencil signed (you can confirm by seeing the top of the signature encroach into the print area).
About the Artist
Toshi Yoshida was the son of Hiroshi Yoshida, one of the most famous woodblock print artists of the 20th century. He followed the family tradition, and centuries of old Japanese craft, in woodblock printmaking while adopting and developing his signature style. His close relationship with his father was instrumental in the pursuit of his art; together, father and son traveled Japan and the globe, examining and sketching people and places around them.
