- Shirabe (Enchanting Melody) -　

The beautiful woodblock print "Shirabe" (Enchanting Melody) is by Shinmei Kato (1910–1998).
A lovely maiko is playing the Japanese 鼓 (tsuzumi — a traditional hand drum) used in classical Japanese music. This gorgeous bijin-ga woodblock print features spectacular colors. You can see the beautiful baren marks in the background. Her hair ornament, makeup, and nail polish are a soft pink, like cherry blossoms, adding a delicate and fresh atmosphere to this exquisite print.

Published by Takamizawa. The title "Shirabe" appears in the upper right margin. The carver’s name, Shigeru Koike, and the printer’s name, Hiroshi Orihara, are printed in the lower left margin. “Hanken Shoyu – Kondo Koshiro” (Copyright – Koshiro Kondo) is noted in the lower right margin.

The edition number A.P. (from a limited edition of 300) is stamped on a label on the lower left edge of the verso, along with the artist’s hand-signed “Shinmei” and the publisher’s name. A red Takamizawa publisher seal and a Kondo seal also appear on the verso, along with a thin paper cover.
A “Shinmei” watermark is visible in the upper left corner of the margin.

Technique: Woodblock
Paper size: 17 and 3/4 inches x 20 and 3/4 inches (45 x 52.7 cm)
Image size: 14 and 7/8 inches x 17 and 7/8 inches (37.7 x 45.5 cm)
Sheet number: A.P
Date: 1979 (Showa 54 )
Signed: Artist’s name and red seal appear on the right edge of the image. Hand-signed “Shinmei” on the lower left edge of the verso (on the sticker). 
Condition: Overall, very good condition with bold, beautiful colors. There are a few very minor toning spots on the paper edge and a tiny drying hole in the upper left corner edge, both of which will be matted out. You probably won’t notice it, but there is an extremely faint trace of blue ink on the hand near the drum, so I reduced the price slightly.
* Handmade Japanese washi paper may contain bark bits or natural impurities.

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