Bao Ming Collection – Oriental Arts and Antiques from Collector to Collector. Rare FIRST EDITION woodblock print by Rakusan Tsuchiya from “100 series” or ” Kachou Gafu “. This print is #12 in the series, title ” Bamboo Flowers and Black-crowned Night Herons (Late Spring)”. There’s a label in the back of the print indicating the number of this print. One of the funny thing about this print, which, no doubt, makes it one of the best in the series is the depiction of the “mudskipper” fish, although it’s being eating alive by the Heron (upper right corner), wrapped itself around the beak and prevented the Heron from opening it mouth and swallow. It remind me of the “Never ever give up” photo, which depict a frog being eating by a crane, but manage to fight by holding on to the crane throat. Don’t know if Rakusan originally intended humor, but it makes me smile every time I view this print. Entire sheet size is 17.375″H X 22.875″W (44.1325cm X 58.1025cm). This is the entire large hosho sheet or “DOUBLE OBAN” size, the largest of woodblock print. Print area is 13.25″H X 18.75″. Previously framed but wasn’t laid down (not even the corners). Some cardboard burning, tonning, foxing, and color fading. FIRST EDITION print based on watermark, circa 1929 – 1933. The item “Rare FIRST EDITION Japanese Woodblock Print by Rakusan Kachou Gafu 100 Series” is in sale since Saturday, September 1, 2018. This item is in the category “Antiques\Asian Antiques\Japan\Prints”. The seller is “baoming-collection” and is located in Davenport, Iowa. This item can be shipped worldwide.