Antique Drawing-JAPANESE FEMALE FIGURE-BATH-Kajita Hanko-c.1910

‘A Bath – On a beach’ (Yuani …)

A woman in “Yukata” (a light summer kimono). Rocky beach was depicted on the background. A unique preparatory drawing for a frontispiece illustration for a novel, “Yuami” (Bath), published in Bungei Kurabu Vol.14, no.8, 1910.

Brush and ink drawing on Japanese type laid paper.
Matting: 38 x 30 cm. Sheet size: 25,5 x 21 cm. (10 x 8,3 inch). Image size: 23,5 x 19,5 cm. (9,3 x 7,7 inch).

This drawing is unsigned and rear of matting incorrectly mentions another artist (Mizuno Toshikata). We have pointed to a woodblock print (kuchi-e) by Kajita Hanko (1870-1917), an image / description of which is included in this listing (item not included in this listing!). This woodblock print appeared in a literary magazine ‘Bungei  Karubo’ in 1910 and was probably published individually as well. As such this drawing appears to be a preparatory drawing of the black linework to be transferred into a woodblock, which was then used for printing. Rare and unique item.

Kajita Jojiro Hanko / Hanko Kazita (1870-1917) was born in Tokyo named Kajita Jojiro. His father was a respected metal artist. At 11 he was send to training by the Shijo artist Nabeta Gyokuei. Around 1890 he adopted the artist name Hanko. He is active in the transition of traditional Ukiyo-e style into modern Japanese graphics, like Kaburagi Kyokata or Tomioka Eisen and mostly earned his livelyhood through illustrations with common topics of ‘heart, love and pain’. The execution and artistry of these are admirable.

Condition: Good, given age. Attached to matting, but can easily be removed. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.

Keywords: JAPANESE FEMALE FIGURE-BATH-LANDSCAPE-KUCHI-E

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