Details

Senpan became interested in producing art after seeing the work of Minami Kunzo (1883-1950), a sosaku hanga artist, in 1911.  As was the case with many sosaku hanga artists, Senpan was self-taught and experimented with printmaking for a number of years before publishing his first print in 1919. In addition to producing woodblock prints, the artist supported himself as a cartoonist for newspapers and a variety of publications.

In this enchanting work, a young woman is dressed in a fine kimono with hands raised as she welcomes the falling cherry blossoms. The painting is rendered in a charming cartoon-like style Senpan was so well known to produce.

A strong advocate for traditional Japanese arts and culture, Senpan often depicted regional Japanese festivals, and it is very likely the subject of this painting is a reveler for a local cherry blossom festival. The lighthearted theme of pink blooms is advanced further in the beautiful and well-suited pink-colored mount.  

Connoisseur's Note

This work is a rare original piece by Senpan and was produced some time in the 1940s. The painting is executed in the cartoon-like style he often used in paintings or sketches. The painting features the artist’s distinctive signature and seals in the lower-right of the image. The painting is housed in its original mount and comes with its original custom-made wooden box.