Artist: Joichi Hoshi (1913-1979)
Title: Cedar Tree (Morning) Date: 1978
Rich, deep textures and complex, layered colors command our attention in this oversized design. Hoshi has given great gravitas to this majestic tree, cropping the tree at top and bottom to create focus. The background is just as fascinating; layers of yellow, orange and blue pigments are overlain with silver and gold, creating a nuanced glow. The earth upon which the tree stands is a cerulean blue that is also beautifully blended. The artist's genius at creating textures using plywood woodblocks is unsurpassed in the 20th century. Hoshi‘s unique woodblock printing technique involved gold and silver leaf, layers of overprinting with oil paint, and burnishing the blocks with a flame. As written by Tetsuro Murobushi about the artist's technique: “The tip of the blowtorch in a white glow licks, scorches and chases here and there the bass-wood plate, already engraved with a knife, leaving long and deep, or sometimes short and shallow traces. As Hoshi said to his observer; ‘Scorching this way makes the carved edges naturally round and brings delicate shades to the prints’." (Joichi Hoshi: Catalogue of all Tree Woodblock Prints, pg 12.) Hoshi’s works are impossible to capture in photographs, as the light will reflect on the metallic layers in a unique way from every angle.
Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition.
Dimensions: 60.4 x 88.8 cm
Publisher: Printed by the artist.
References: See “Joichi Hoshi: Catalog of All Tree Woodblock Prints”, number 387.
Seal: Artist’s seal Signature: Joichi Hoshi in pencil, along with title and edition number
SKU: HOS074
