JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT “WINTER” BY TOSHI YOSHIDA. FRANKLIN MINT “BIRDS OF THE SEASONS” SERIES. The print is titled “Winter” Japanese title “Sekisetsu no Hakagei ni” translates to “Sitting Under Snow-Covered Leaves”. It’s part of a 4-print series titled “Birds of the Seasons”, commissioned by the Franklin Mint Gallery of Fine Art in 1980 and published by the Yoshida family studio. The image depicts a Daurian Redstart bird (which migrates to Japan every winter) perched in a snow-covered Aoki bush with bright red berries. The print is nicely detailed and skillfully executed with “bokashi” shading, distinctly visible “woodgrain” to the entire blue-grey background. The image is unusually large and measures about 19 5/8″ tall and 11 3/4″ wide (“double-oban”). The print is matted in its original Franklin Mint teak frame with acrylic “glass” that measures approximately 27″ x 18 1/2″. The print is signed in the lower right margin with a Japanese “kanji” signature that reads Yoshida Toshi. ” The back of the frame has a label that reads “F. At an early age he absorbed the techniques of old-style woodblock printing from the artisans in his father’s studio. It wasn’t until his father’s death in 1950 that Toshi broke from his past and from the naturalism landscape images Hiroshi was known for. In 1952, he began a series of abstract woodcuts, influenced by his brother, Hodaka Yoshida. From 1971 to 1994, until the last years of his life, Toshi worked almost exclusively on animal prints. Condition of this Toshi Yoshida woodblock is EXCELLENT. The colors are strong and I don’t see any noticeable toning or foxing. I did not remove the print from the frame. The teak frame is also in good shape with a few minor bumps and scratches. Overall, this collectible print looks fantastic and displays beautifully. It would make a wonderful addition to any art collection. Please take a close look at the many photos I’ve provided and judge condition for yourself. See my other listings. For more great items! Closeup of Top Portion. Closeup of Bottom Portion. Reverse Side of Frame. Franklin Mint Gallery of Fine Art Label. If you have questions regarding this policy, please let me know. And Canada buyers only. No international sales on this print please (except Canada). I will insure this item at my own expense. Txzj pxzj2495 txzj-11 txzj39 txzj115. The item “Toshi Yoshida Winter Japanese Woodblock Print Franklin Mint Birds of the Seasons” is in sale since Friday, July 13, 2018. This item is in the category “Antiques\Asian Antiques\Japan\Prints”. The seller is “virginia_quailman” and is located in Waynesboro, Virginia. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Series: Birds of the Seasons
- Title: Winter
- Region of Origin: Japan
- Age: Post-1940
- Maker: Toshi Yoshida
- Original/Reproduction: Vintage Original
- Commissioned By: Franklin Mint Gallery of Fine Art