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Benkei Bridge, from "Tokyo Fukei series" by Tsuchiya Koitsu

Benkei Bridge, from Tokyo Fukei series by Tsuchiya Koitsu

Benkei Bridge, from "Tokyo Fukei series"

Tsuchiya Koitsu

Title

Benkei Bridge, from "Tokyo Fukei series"

 
Artist

Tsuchiya Koitsu

  1890 - 1949 (biography)
Year
1933 , printed later, circa 1950-63 
Technique
color woodcut 
Image Size
14 1/4 x 9 1/2" image 
Signature
signature and seal, lower right 
Edition Size
not stated 
Annotations
 
Reference
Koitsu Raisonne code: TK-DH-3; illustrated pages 52 and 330 
Paper
heavy, ivory laid Japanese hosho with Doi watermark 
State
published 
Publisher
Doi Hangaten, chop in left margin 
Inventory ID
21542 
Price
SOLD
Description

The subject in this print is Benkei Bridge in Tokyo, Japan which crosses the outer moat of Edo Castle on the north side. It is named for a legendary monk-warrior of the twelfth century and still stands today, though it is overwhelmed by the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka in the background and crossed by an elevated freeway.

In 1933 Koitsu began a series of twelve image titled the 'Tokyo Fukei Series" (Tokyo Views) were published in a particular order and "Benkei Bridge" was published third in the series of twelve. The series was completed in November of 1935.

Publisher Doi Sadaichi planned to publish one print each month but the project ended up taking three years. This impression is from a later printing, circa 1950-63.