Details

Very little is known about Hirano Hakuho, who was a nihonga (Japanese-style) painter and print artist who produced a handful of designs. Of the small group of prints in his oeuvre, this design is among his best works.

In this design, a beauty stands on the veranda, adjusting her hairpin as she watches a torrential summer rain. Her well-coiffed hair—a beautiful black matte—is a striking contrast to the woman’s sheer black kimono. This summer garment is printed with extensive use of baren sujizuri, or swirls, which adds a surprising tactile quality to the composition. The remainder of the design is executed in muted light grays and browns, which effectively suggest the humidity of this summer day. The long pillar-style format is perfectly suited for the composition, accentuating the beauty’s long seductive form.

Connoisseur's Note

This impression was printed by the illustrious shin hanga publisher Shozaburo Watanabe. This design is one of a handful of prints produced by Hakuho for this publisher. The print is an early impression, as the careful and subtle printing of the design suggests. This work is in an extraordinary state of preservation, making it a true time capsule. It was never framed or displayed and was stored in archival boxes. Prints in this pristine condition seldom come up for sale. This is an exceedingly rare opportunity to own a stunning Hakuho design with fresh and vivid colors in its original state.