A Set of 6 Woodblock Prints by Ryoshu Yamaguchi with an Explanation Hardcover

Noh Play is a traditional form of Japanese theatre that combines elements of drama, dance, music, and poetry. It has been performed for over 600 years and continues to be an important part of Japanese cultural heritage, often regarded as the highest classic art in Japan.

Born in Kyoto in 1889, Ryoshu Yamaguchi learnt to become a Noh performer from his father and the Okura school. From a young age, he demonstrated an inclination for painting and honed his skills under the tutelage of the renowned historical painter, Mr. Taniguchi, ultimately achieving great success in this realm. His paintings were often selected in art contests.

This series of six original woodblock prints and his book was printed in 1954 in Kyoto, Japan, by the renowned Mr. Kiyoomi Shinagawa, Director of Kyoto Hanga-in. They are in perfect condition, featuring six actors' portrayals on a gold-painted background. Each is signed in the woodcut and bears the artist’s seal.

The artist was able, in this series, to convey the beauty of the Noh performers, showcasing elegance simplified to its utmost degree, grandeur, and the subtle impression of underlying drama. The pieces bear myths, and legends, representing historical events and a whole symbolism anchored in traditional Japanese culture.

The artist's evident technique can be appreciated individually in each piece, an amazingly crafted work of art, with attention to detail such as an extensive range of colours, lines, and balance that creates a sense of deliberate movement, poetry, and hyper-elegance for each character. These pieces can also be enjoyed as part of a larger series, with the original book serving as a guide to understanding the six figures in a Noh Play.

For those fortunate enough to have experienced Japanese culture, this series is a great example of mid-twentieth-century Japanese printmaking, embodying the essence of Wabi-sabi perfectly. This term is often translated in modern Japanese as "elegance" and "refinement."

REFERENCE NUMBER: LU654312031132
PERIOD: Mid-20th Century
CONDITION: Good
MEASUREMENTS: Height: 13.88" Width: 11.75" Depth: 1"
COUNT: Set of 6
MATERIAL: Lithograph
CREATOR: Ryoshu Yamaguchi