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Subject:Need help Identifying Print
Posted By: Tonya Hancock Fri, Nov 17, 2017 IP: 2602:306:33ab:7500:5

I acquired this framed print with 5 others at an auction of a deceased doctor that traveled to Japan and other asian countries often. I was able to identify the other 5 on Ukiyo-e Search but this one was not found. It is black ink on white textured paper. There is a reddish circle toward the bottom of the print on the left side but I can not make out any signature. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Tonya Hancock



Subject:Re: Need help Identifying Print
Posted By: mikeoz Sat, Nov 18, 2017

Is it easy to take the picture out of the frame? The reason I ask is that the seal, which would have been applied after the print was finished, appears to be BEHIND the inked image. Furthermore, the seal image should be much stronger. Is I think the picture has been framed back to front.

My first guess is that this could be a work by Munakata Shiko, but only a clear image of the seal could confirm that. There were other print makers who followed the Munakata style, but the seal is the key to seeing who made the print.

Subject:Re: Need help Identifying Print
Posted By: Tonya Hancock Sat, Nov 18, 2017

Thank you for responding. It has been professionally framed with no way to open with breaking the frame. I guess that will be the next step.

Subject:Re: Need help Identifying Print
Posted By: geo. Sat, Nov 18, 2017

I can't make out anything in the artist's seal and without a signature the best I can do is suggest it may be by Inagaki Takejiro. It doesn't look definitively like his work, but it's sort of in his style.

Subject:Re: Need help Identifying Print
Posted By: Tonya Hancock Sat, Nov 18, 2017

Yes, it is blurry and hard to read. Thank you for viewing and suggesting an artist.

Subject:Re: Need help Identifying Print
Posted By: mikeoz Mon, Nov 20, 2017

Assuming the print is under glass, then it should not be too hard to remove it, check its orientation and replace it. If the glass went in, it can come out, and go back in again.

The significance of my comment on the seal appearing to be behind the print is because the black image has most probably been made with a water based ink - traditional Japanese semi, while the red of the seal would have been created with an oil based paste, rather like lipstick. The result is that where the black ink runs under a seal impression, the seal impression remains more prominent.

Subject:Re: Need help Identifying Print
Posted By: Tonya Hancock Tue, Nov 21, 2017

Thank you. All the frames are sealed with no way to open. I'm assuming the Dr had them professionally framed by the way they look. I plan to take it to a framing gallery to see if they can open it.


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