Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Onward to the Sea-gall
Date: 1939-40
Publisher: Shobido Tanaka
Shotei.com no. ST-40.
Globe's Catalog No: C-562
Size: 6.0 x 4.0 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Very good.

Kawase Hasui
Temple in Snow
Date: ca 1930s.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Size: 7.25 x 5.0 inches.
Condition: Excellent. Tipped at top edge to original sheet.
This print does not appear in Kawase Hasui: The Complete Woodblock Prints. We could find only one other example.

Kawase Hasui
Winter Moon Over Toyama Plain, 1931
Publisher: Doi Hangaten.
Carver/printer: Harada/Yokoi. This seal combination indicates an early post-war edition. Its pre-war use has also been widely debated.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Condition: Slight ripple at top margin. Otherwise excellent.

Japanese Noh performance mask of Ko-omote the youthful beauty, made of carved wood with painted features. Size: 8 1/4" high x 5 1/4" wide.

Toshi Yoshida (1911~1995)
Depicting: Snowy street
Print size: 5.5 x 3.75 inches.
A woodblock print tipped at the top to a Japanese Christmas card from 1953.
Bears the Yoshida seal.
Condition: Excellent.

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Berry motif; Japan, early 20th C. 6-piece sweet mold. L.13"(33cm) x W.1.75"(3.5cm) x H.0.375"(1cm.) Condition Note: Bottom piece of mold only. No top cover. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe; countries such as Germany, Holland, and England have a rich history of cake mold production...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Kame (turtle) motif; Japan, early 20th C. Paddle-type mold to make 4 pieces sweets. L.13.75"(35cm) x W.2"(5cm) x H.1"(2.5cm.) The turtle symbolizes long life in many Asian cultures and was a popular motif for celebratory occasions such as weddings and New Year's. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Sakura (Cherry Blossom) motif; Japan, early 20th C. Paddle-type mold to make 2 pieces sweets. L.14.25"(36cm) x W.3.5"(8.75cm) x H. 0.75"(2cm.) The cherry blossom is a well-known symbol of spring, beauty, and the fleeting nature of life in Japanese culture. Most likely, these molds were used for sweets in the spring season. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Shiitake Mushroom motif; Japan, early 20th C. Paddle-typ mold to make 4 piece sweets. L.14"(36cm) x W.2.75"(7cm) x H. .875"(2.25cm.) Condition Note: Insect damage to side of paddle. The wrinkled cap of the shiitake mushroom symbolizes old age and long life. It was used as a symbol of such on celebratory occasions. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Ninjin (carrot) motif; Japan, early 20th C. Paddle-type mold with handle. L.12.375"(31.5cm) x W.3.25"(8cm) x H.1.25"(3cm.) Name of confectionery "Shirokiya" on side. Condition Note: minor insect damage to back of paddle. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Noshi Kombu (kelp wrapper) motif; Japan, early 20th C. L.8.5"(21cm) x W.3.625"(9.25cm) x H. .75"(2.25cm.) Condition Note: Only bottom piece of mold. No top cover. The symbol of the kelp wrapper is used for all celebratory occasions. This is the traditional wrapping (now string or ribbon) for offering and gift envelopes. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Shiitake Mushroom motif; Japan, early 20th C. L.5.25"(15cm) x W.3"(7.5cm) x H.1"(2.25cm.) Condition Note: Bottom piece only, no cover piece. The wrinkled cap of the mushroom symbolizes old age and long like. It was used for celebratory occasions that called for such symbolism. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Warabi (fiddlehead fern) motif; Japan, early 20th C. L.5.875"(15cm) x W.3"(7.5cm) x H.1"(2.25cm.) Condition Note: No top cover, bottom piece only. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe; countries such as Germany, Holland, and England have a rich history of cake mold production. Materials such as wood, ceramic, glass, plastic,...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Sensu (fan) motif; Japan, early 20th C. L.9.375"(23.75cm) x W.4.125"(10.5cm) x H.1.75"(4.5cm.) Condition Note: one of the posts connecting the top to bottom pieces is missing. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe; countries such as Germany, Holland, and England have a rich history of cake mold production. Materials such as w...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Kiku (chrysanthemum) motif; Japan, early 20th C. L.7"(17.75cm) x W.3.5"(8.7510cm) x H.1.375"(4.5cm.) The chrysanthemum is a symbol of late fall and also used for celebratory occasions. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe; countries such as Germany, Holland, and England have a rich history of cake mold production. Materials s...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Kiku (chrysanthemum) motif; Japan, early 20th C. L.6.625"(15.75cm) x W.3.5"(8.75cm) x H.1.375"(3.5cm.) The chrysanthemum is a symbol of late fall and was also a popular motif for celebratory occasions. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe; countries such as Germany, Holland, and England have a rich history of cake mold produc...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Cherry Leaves motif; Japan, early 20th C. L.8.5"(21cm) x W.5.0"(12.75cm) x H.1.5"(4cm.) As a symbol of spring, the cherry is often depicted in blossoms. But in this case it is the leaves that are featured. There are actually sweets that are wrapped in cherry leaves. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe; countries such as Germ...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Kiku (chrysanthemum) motif; Japan, early 20th C. L.5.875"(15cm) x W.3.0"(7.5cm) x H.1.75"(4.5cm.) The chrysanthemum is a symbol of late fall and was also a popular motif for celebratory occasions. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe; countries such as Germany, Holland, and England have a rich history of cake mold production....

Kawase Hasui
Moon at Nakanoshima, Sapporo 1933
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Bears the 7 mm seal, indicating a printing between 1957 and 1989.
Condition: Unframed. Very good. Slight toning and professionally reinforced left margin.
- A rare appearance of a horse in a Hasui print.

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold) with a dynamic image of a minogame (mino = "straw rain cape," kame/game = "turtle/tortoise.") Early 20th C., Japan. L.13"(33cm) x W.5"(12.5cm) x H.1.125"(2.75cm,) 1 piece paddle type mold. Some minor insect damage to back of mold (see enlargements 4 & 5.) The tortoise is a symbol of long life in Japan, and in Asia in general. In Japan, the image of a tortoise ("kame") of especially ripe old age shows seaweed growing on its shell, which resembles the farmer's straw r...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold) with double Kiku (chrysanthemum) motif, early 20th C., Japan. L.8.75"(22.5cm) x W.4.25"(10.5cm) x H.1.75"(4.5cm.) This mold has two chrysanthemum blossoms, a symbol of beauty and abundance in late fall and winter. On the side, the sweetmaker has written "an iri no natsume" (sweet red bean paste filled jujube) to indicate for which of type of sweet this mold was used. On the back is carved the sweet shop's name, "Bai Getsu" (Plum Moon.) This is the name of a famous s...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold) with image of Jou (old man from the Noh play "Takasago.") Early 20th C, Japan. L.7.75"(9.5cm) x W.3.375"(8.5cm) x H..75'(2cm). Bottom portion of mold only. The image of Jou, the old man raking leaves and the companion of Uba, is from the ancient Noh play "Takasago." Alone or accompanied by Uba, Jou is a symbol of a long married life and fidelity. Such sweets could have been used for marriages and New Years. This mold lacks the top cover to press the sweet, but the c...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Take (bamboo) motif, Japan, early 20th C. L.7.375"(18.5cm) x W.4.375") x H.1.375"(3.5cm.) This mold features a bamboo stalk with two groupings of leaves, and the sweetmaker has written "sa-sa-ba" (bamboo leaves) on the side of the mold. Bamboo's resilient nature makes it a symbol of resilience in hard times and was a traditional symbol used for many celebratory occasions, such as births and weddings. Along with the pine and plum, it is one of the "Three Friends of ...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Japanese Imperial Army Emblem, early 20th C. L.6.375"(16.25cm) x W.3.625"(9.25cm) x H.1.5"(4cm). This unique kashigata features an emblem of the Imperial Japanese Army; the Star over two crossed swords, with a hammer and chain. The overall outline shape is that is a war fan.This item shows how even nationalism came into the designs of Japanese sweets in the Imperial era at the end of the 19th century and in the early 20th century. The back is stamped with the sweet...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Biwa (loquat fruit, Eriobotrya Japonica) motif, Japan, early 20th C. L.8.125"(20.5cm) x W.4.374"(11cm) x H.1.5"(4cm.) The image on this mold shows a bunch of loquat fruit, known as "biwa" in Japanese. Biwa are indegenous to SE China, and the Japanese name may refer to the oblong shape of mature fruit that resembles the shape of the musical instrument, lute (also "biwa" in Japanese.) In olden days, a type of cough medication was made from the syrup of the fruit. The...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Momiji (Japanese Maple) motif. Japan, early 20th C. L.8.125"(20.5cm) x W.3.0"(7.5cm) x H.1.75"(3.5cm.) This kashigata displays 2 Japanese maple leaves. As seasonality was often a concern in Japanese confectionery tradition, this image would have been a lovely inference to the autumn season. The sweetmaker has marked the side of the mold "mo mi ji" (Japanese Maple) in katakana characters. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture ar...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Hi No De Tsuru (Rising Sun Crane) motif. Japan, early 20th C. L.7.0"(18cm) x W.3.75"(9.5cm) x H.1.625"(4cm). The Crane symbolizes long life, as does the Tortoise, in many Asian cultures. In Japan, it was a popular traditional motif for celebratory events such as weddings, New Year's, and birth. This particular example shows the rising sun, a symbol of Japan, behind the crane. The sweetmaker has written "Hi No De Tsuru (Rising Sun Crane)" on the side of the sweet mo...

Kashigata (wooden sweet mold,) Matsu (pine) motif; Japan, early 20th C. L.8.5"(21cm) x W.4.0"(10cm) x H.1.75"(4.5cm.) The pine symbolizes "evergreen" and was a popular motif for celebratory occasions such as weddings and New Year's. It is one of the "Three Friends of Winter," which also includes plum and bamboo. Sweet molds, “kashigata,” have been a part of confectionary culture around the world. Well-known examples in Asia come from Japan, China, Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe; countri...

Hiratsuka Un-ichi (1895 ~ 1997)
Nihonbashi Bridge in Tokyo (aka. Night at Nihonbashi Bridge)
Date: 1946
Card size: Approximately 6.0 x 4.25 inches.
This woodblock print is the front cover of a Christmas/New Year card signed in pen by the artist at the inside.
Reference: Collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Toshi Yoshida (1911~1995)
Depicting: Snow scene
A woodblock print tipped at the top to a Japanese Christmas card from the early 1950s. Please photo of the inside of the card.
Signed "T. Yoshida"
Condition: Excellent.

Artist: Uchima (Aohara) Toshiko (1918-2000). Aohara would marry the renowned artist Ansei Uchima.
Scene: Girl in Costume.
Image area: 5.5 x 3.5 inches. A woodblock print tipped at the top to original cardstock.
Bears the "Aohara" seal.
Publisher: Kyoto Hanga-In.
Condition: Excellent.

Yamakawa Shuho (1898 - 1944)
Premonition of Snow, 1927
Size: Oban, approximately 15.0 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Bijutsusha
Condition. Unframed. This print has had tears and toning professionally restored.
An intriguing bijin image with an unusual title.

Kawase Hasui
Kankai Temple, Beppu Hot Springs, 1927
Publisher: Bijutsusha. One of only eight Hasui designs published by Bijutsusha. Bears the red "Rumi" publisher's seal.
Size: Oban, approximately 15.0 x 10.25 inches.
Condition: Unframed. Excellent. A small (2 mm) hole in the dark green foliage has been invisibly repaired by a conservator. Short green dash in grey upper right sky.
A lush landscape format print and a rare design. Beppu is among Japan's most famous hot spri...

Artist: Kawase Hasui
Title: Daimotsu, Amagasaki
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo, 6mm seal.
Date: 1940. The 6mm seal was used between 1946 and 1957.
Size: Oban, approximately 15.5 x 10.25 inches.
Condition: Pristine. Unframed. Never displayed. The two left margin pinholes are the original state.

Ohara Shoson (Koson)
Title: Crow on a Snow Covered Branch
Date: 1910s ~ 1920s
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo
Size: 11.25 x 5.5 inches.
Reference: Newland, Amy R."Crows, cranes & camellias" p. 196.

A rare creped woodblock print by Koson. Creping was popular in the early 20th century due to superior durability.
Condition: Unframed. Excellent. This print appears to be as fresh as the day it was made. It is an absolute knockout. The scans do not do justice to th...

Japanese sosaku hanga woodblock print depicting a pavilion on Peony Point (Botan-dai), Pyongyang, Korea and is No. 28 from the series "One Hundred Views of New Japan" by Hiratsuka Un'ichi (1895-1997). The artist's red ink Hiratsuka Un'ichi seal is at the lower right. The black ink title and artist's red "Un" seal is at the upper left. Known to date to 1940. Paper size: 9 7/8" x 12 5/8" (image: 8 7/8" x 11 7/8"). This print was never framed and is in very good overall condition. The upper right...