Woodblock Print by Kasamatsu Shiro

This outstanding woodblock is from the University of Tokyo Series c. 1957. It was self printed and published by the artist and measures 11 1/4" X 16". The piece appears to be done on hand made/cut paper and has the artists signature and chop incorporated in the print as well as below the image with the date 1957. The artists chop and I assume his name are also impressed onto the right margin of the print. The colors are bright and bold as shown in the photos. There is glue residue from tape on the edges of the white margin as well as pin holes at the outer corners. These are not in the image. Included is a paper that I assume originally came with the print from the Faculty of Engineering-University of Tokyo with a history of the Red Gate.

Kasamatsu Shiro was born in Tokyo (1898-1991) and studied painting with Kaburagi Kiyokata. He exhibited paintings in Bunten, Teiten, Tatsumi Gakai, and Kyodokai and was a member of Seikinkai. Encouraged by Kaburagi Kiyokata he began designing woodblock prints for Watanabe Shozaburo in 1919 and published many prints with Watanabe in 1930s and Eight Views of Tokyo and bird and animal prints with Unsodo in 1950s. In later years carved and printed many of his own blocks but did not promote his prints through affiliations and exhibitions.