UMI NO HYÔJÔ 海の表情.
1987. Item #88951
Onchi Kōshirō 恩地考四郎, author & artist. UMI NO HYÔJÔ 海の表情. Tokyo, WKO Hanga Kenkyûsho, 1987. #9 of 20cc,, 42.7 x 37 cm. Portfolio of 17 prints and 20 poems on the topic "EXPRESSIONS OF THE SEA".
Established printmaker and book designer Onchi Kōshirō 恩地考四郎 (1891-1955) had designed this album during the war, but when he attempted to get it published after the war's end and had no luck, he abandoned the project. A few images from the carved blocks were pulled as an experiment and one, “Umi No Mieru Mado” [Window Open to the Sea], appears in the British Museum collection with an interesting explanation. (See link accessed June 2021 https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_1988-0315-0-75) In any event, long after his father's death, Onchi Kunio resurrected the project and printed the work in nearly complete form, as only 3 prints had remained unfinished. "Modern" as it is, its tiny limitation guarantees its place as one of the greatest rarities of the Onchi ouevre.
In fine condition, in a portfolio with a tan cloth-covered clamshell case. In the original publisher's cardboard box.
Price: $5,850.00