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Giôji Kyoto

Saitō Kiyoshi

Artwork Details

Giôji Kyoto
1955
Saitō Kiyoshi
color woodblock print on paper
17 5/16 x 23 3/16 in. (44.0 x 59.0 cm)
Gift of the artist
1959/2.22

Description

Subject Matter:

This print is a depiction of the Gioji temple in Kyoto, Japan. The temple is a quaint Buddhist temple known for its greenery. The small temple sits enshrouded by trees, secondary to nature rather than imposing upon it. The Creative Print (Sōsaku hanga) movement, a style of prints that emphasized  unconventional abstracted prints made entirely by one artist, emerged from Japan and later played a role in improving post World War 2 American-Japanese relations. As he does with many of his other prints, Kiyoshi uses imagery of a traditional pre-war conception of Japan in the style of modern art to help shift Japan’s reputation in America. 

Physical Description:

This print depicts a small roofed building in a grove of trees. The roof is large and brown, perhaps thatched. The shapes are simple and geometric. There is a signature and red seal in the bottom right corner. 

Usage Rights:

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