Hiroshi Yoshida 'Way to the Kasuga Shrine' Woodblock Print

Story

Created in 1935, this print captures the timeless, misty atmosphere of Nara's ancient forest. Yoshida used up to thirty separate block pressings to achieve the delicate, watercolor-like gradients in the towering cedar trees.

Maker / Origin

Hiroshi Yoshida (1876–1950) was a giant of the Shin-hanga ('new prints') movement, famous for combining traditional Japanese woodblock techniques with Western-style atmospheric perspective. An avid traveler and outdoorsman, he personally oversaw every step of his prints' production, demanding absolute technical perfection from his carvers and printers.

Condition & Value

The print appears to be in good condition with strong colors and no obvious staining or foxing visible through the glass. However, it is framed under a mat that covers the outermost edges; it must be inspected out of the frame to ensure it has not been trimmed or dry-mounted to a backing board, which would significantly reduce its value. Value is driven by the print's lifetime status, the presence of the pencil signature, and overall condition.