Japanese Woodblock Prints "Kyo-Maiko" (Set of 6 Pcs): Originated by Sadanobu Hasegawa

Kyoto, Japan: Uchida Woodblock Printing Co., Ltd.. Folio. . Near Fine. Brightly colored woodblock prints, entitled "Girl Playing Hanetsuki Game", "Flower Arrangement", "Girl Washing Hands", "Tea Ceremony", "Dancing Girl", and "Girl Playing Hand-Drum". N.d., circa early 1950s. Folio, 39 by 27 cm. The prints are matted. The prints themselves (or the window of the mat) are 25 by 18.5 cm. These prints were surely intended to be framed and hung on walls, and so one seldom comes upon the full folio of six pieces intact as issued. It would appear that there are few institutions with collections of these Kyo-Maiko prints, but we do not trust OCLC necessarily to pick up all such holdings, given that the prints were issued in various formats over many decades. That said, this folio was unquestionably issued with the Western, and particularly American, market in mind. The title is rendered in English, and the U.S. was probably still occupying Japan at the time, and regardless, had a strong presence in post-war Japan. Sadanobu Hasegawa III (1881-1963) came from a family of Ukiyo-e artists. His subject matter embraced Kabuki actors and scenes, scenes from Bunraku, or traditional puppet theater, genre scenes from Japanese history, as well as geishas and beautiful Japanese women as the case with this set of prints. Much of his professional work was commissioned by Uchida, which was one of the largest publishers of Japanese woodcuts at the time. Condition: the folio itself has moderate wear, and light foxing to its inner lining, but is fully intact and remains attractive, with its folio pattern. The prints themselves, and their matting, are close to pristine.