SAKAGAWA HASHI: GOING HOME IN THE SUNSET. [aka. EVENING GLOW AT SAKAGAWA BRIDGE]

[Tokyo 1924-1927, Watanabe]. Vertical Mitsugiri print, size: 16.4 x 37.6 cm., sheet size: 17.4 x 39 cm., signed Hiroaki, red Hanko [seal/chop], superb, excellent, clean condition, verso clean. FIRST EDITION *** *** *** . . A SILHOUETTE BENEATH THE DUSK CRESCENT MOON . . PORTERS CARRING A PALANQUIN WITH AN IMPORTANT PASSENGER . . OVER THE SAKAWA BRIDGE . Two porters labor to carry an important lady to her dusk destination over the Sakawa bridge at dusk. A third man, her 'footman' follows the procession. . A poignant scene evoking the question as to who the important passenger is and where she is going. . * THE COLORS: As usual Hiroaki loves the dusk period to draw his expressions. This one has the important ingredients for success: a finger-nail moon against an azure sky, waning and fading sun-light into an orange-gray mountain. . The silhouette of tarrying people eager to get to their destination over a blackened bridge, the shimmering water reflection....the composition and colors of a master Shin-hanga artist. . *** THE ARTIST: Takahashi [1871-1944] also used the studio name of Shotei, then after 1921 he used Hiroaki, all woodblocks of his fine work were destroyed in the Great Kanto [Tokyo] earthquake and conflagration of August 1923. Prints that pre-date this event have a premium value. . Hiroaki was a superb woodblock print artist. A good number of his works were published by Watanabe. He was also part of the very new Shin-hanga movement. He produced about 500 prints prior to the great earthquake. . After the restoration and rebuilding of Tokyo area, Hiroaki continued his work and executed approximately 250 color woodblock prints. It is said that Hiroaki was most likely killed in Hiroshima when he visited his daughter. The surrounding area was devastated by the atom bomb, in August, 1945. Neither he nor his remains were ever found. . *** THE CONDITION: The work is in excellent condition, perfectly clean front and verso, registry and color are superb, no issues. . *** REFERENCE: * TAKAHASHI, Hiroaki. [Shotei] [SHIMIZU, Hisao. comp.]: TAKAHASHI SYOTEI [HIROAKI]: SHOTEI [HIROAKI] TAKAHASHI: HIS LIFE AND WORKS. [Catalogue of the Folk Museum of Ota City], p.43, see #'s 50, 50-1,51-2. Ours is 51-1 1927-1927 [Taisho 13-Showa 2]. See p. 75, 51-1 for other details * WATANABE, Shozaburo. comp., publisher.: CATALOGUE OF WOOD-CUT COLOUR PRINTS OF S. WATANABE. 1936, #242. * Laurence Roberts: DICTIONARY OF JAPANESE ARTISTS, p.168. * MERRITT, Helen: GUIDE TO MODERN JAPANESE WOODBOCK PRINTS: 1900-1975. * MERRITT, Helen: MODERN JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINTS: The Early Years, pp. 43-44; 45, 99. * If you are interested in the above reference books, please contact us about we may have them in stock. . .