Katsuyuki Nishijima (1945-Present) is a woodblock artist known for his colorful studies of Japan's traditional architecture and landscapes. There is often a geometric quality to his work that transcends his depictions of both the urban and rural. Born at the close of the Second World War, Nishijima began his career at Mikumo Mokuhansha art publishing in Kyoto. He eventually set out on his own, motivated solely by self-expression in a practice known as Sosaku Hanga, which directly translates to “creative prints”. Part of Sosaku Hanga is carving each woodblock oneself, making each print a unique reflection of the artist’s hand.
His work is also cited as having been influenced by the shin-hanga movement, which was a 20th-century movement that aimed to combine print-making techniques of the Edo period with an interpretation of Western Impressionism. The artist's prints are also notable for their conspicuous lack of human presence or contemporary technology, making them an idealized depiction of 20th-century Japan.
The title of this work, Akebono (Dawn), is also indicative of Nishijima’s rejection of the nighttime hues favored by many of his contemporaries. Akebono is from a series called Kisokaido, which is a homage to a more famous series of Sixty-nine prints from the Edo period. The series in question by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) and Keisai Eisen (1790-1848) depicts the 69 post stations, essentially early rest stops, between Tokyo and Kyoto. Akebono is a depiction of one such stop.
Katsuyuki Nishijima (1945-Present) is a woodblock artist known for his colorful studies of Japan's traditional architecture and landscapes. There is often a geometric quality to his work that transcends his depictions of both the urban and rural. Born at the close of the Second World War, Nishijima began his career at Mikumo Mokuhansha art publishing in Kyoto. He eventually set out on his own, motivated solely by self-expression in a practice known as Sosaku Hanga, which directly translates to “creative prints”. Part of Sosaku Hanga is carving each woodblock oneself, making each print a unique reflection of the artist’s hand.
His work is also cited as having been influenced by the shin-hanga movement, which was a 20th-century movement that aimed to combine print-making techniques of the Edo period with an interpretation of Western Impressionism. The artist's prints are also notable for their conspicuous lack of human presence or contemporary technology, making them an idealized depiction of 20th-century Japan.
The title of this work, Akebono (Dawn), is also indicative of Nishijima’s rejection of the nighttime hues favored by many of his contemporaries. Akebono is from a series called Kisokaido, which is a homage to a more famous series of Sixty-nine prints from the Edo period. The series in question by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) and Keisai Eisen (1790-1848) depicts the 69 post stations, essentially early rest stops, between Tokyo and Kyoto. Akebono is a depiction of one such stop.
Dimensions: 12 1/8" x 10 1/8"
Frame: 1” Natural Wood w/ Non-Glare Acrylic
Mounting: Conservation Matting and Acid-Free Backing
