Hashiguchi Goyo, "Waitress with a Red Tray"

Title : Waitress with a Red Tray

Artist : Hashiguchi Goyo

Publisher: Yuyudo

Description:
Size:38.5×26.5cm (1cm ≒ 0.39 inch, picture size)
Some stains.

Handmade reproduction woodcut print by skillful artisans with traditional woodcut techniques. Limited edition.
Washi paper
Print in Japan.

See our Website: http://www.ukiyoe-salon.jp/

• Goyō Hashiguchi ”Onna rokudai (the picture of six beautiful women)” Yūyūdō
Goyō Hashiguchi, the oil painting artist, completed only thirteen woodblock paintings in his lifetime. He was indeed an unprolific artist. In 1920 (Taisho 9), Goyō dedicated himself to creating woodblock paintings. He invited the best carvers and printers of that time to his place to study their techniques in a concentrated and detailed fashion. Not surprisingly, he was very particular about making woodblock paintings out of his artworks. While printers usually make about 200 prints a day, Goyō insisted that the printer limit himself to creating 20 to 25 a day with a focus on precision rather than number. He also only allowed the use of first-class pigments. His strong and strict enthusiasm for beauty definitely contributed to his low productivity. Creating reprints for such stoically produced works cannot be an easy task.
Keizaburō Yamaguchi, the editor of this work and the executive director of the Japan Ukiyo-e Society, tells us: “I wonder how long ago it was when I was first informed by Yūyūdō of their idea to create reprints of Goyō Hashiguchi’s works. The first thing I told them that it would be extremely difficult. Goyō woodblock prints are simply difficult. This is because it is one of the most precious works completed with the help of the best techniques of both the carver and printer.” This reprint was created in spite of such difficulty. Again, we shall let Yamaguchi speak for us: “Here, upon my desk, lies the splendid reprint of Goyō’s work. The paper, the pigments, the carving, the printing and thereby this artwork. I am deeply moved and enormously impressed that such precision has been achieved. A visit to the land of Benibana in Yamagata to confirm the color of beni, an impasse upon seeking the Awa indigo, a pleasant surprise in today’s indigo stick, countless visits to the village in Echizen for custom-ordered paper…Although it took some time, it seems like we have indeed reached the summit of what looked like an impossible mountain in the beginning.” Or: “I hereby want to add the comment that the production of this reprint has been significant in many respects and that it represents the highest point in modern Ukiyo-e woodblock printing techniques.”
This work is a reprint produced as a result of all of these efforts and therefore is a work of the highest quality.