Irozaki, Morning
Item
Title
Irozaki, Morning
Creator
Toshi YOSHIDA
Japanese, 1911-1995
Japanese, 1911-1995
Date
1961
Materials
Woodblock print
Measurements
11-1/8 x 15 in. (28.3 x 38.1 cm)
Description
Toshi Yoshida was the eldest son of Hiroshi Yoshida. He studied woodcarving at the Taiheiyo Art School of the Pacific Arts Association, where his father was on the faculty. His art blends his training in a western style of realism modified by impressionism and Japanese-style woodblock techniques, honoring both traditions.
The process of woodblock printing begins with a key block: a carved block that creates the thick black lines of the composition. This block can be used as the base for hundreds of prints. The artist then employs additional blocks to add colors. Irozaki, Morning is the first print in a four part series. The others capture an identical view during different times of the day. All four prints begin with the same key block. In Irozaki Morning, Yoshida suggests morning mist by coloring the sky a rosy pink, using darker ink for the rocks, and omitting altogether a block used in Irozaki, Day that shows Oshima Island on the horizon and clouds in the sky. Although made using a Japanese technique, the Irozakiseries evokes French painter Claude Monet’s series of paintings that feature a single scene shown at different times of day and in a variety of seasons and weather.
Irozaki is located near the tip of the Izu peninsula, a sentimental location for the Yoshida family. In October 1949, Toshi’s father became ill on a sketching trip to Nagaoka in Izu, and he passed away the following April.
The process of woodblock printing begins with a key block: a carved block that creates the thick black lines of the composition. This block can be used as the base for hundreds of prints. The artist then employs additional blocks to add colors. Irozaki, Morning is the first print in a four part series. The others capture an identical view during different times of the day. All four prints begin with the same key block. In Irozaki Morning, Yoshida suggests morning mist by coloring the sky a rosy pink, using darker ink for the rocks, and omitting altogether a block used in Irozaki, Day that shows Oshima Island on the horizon and clouds in the sky. Although made using a Japanese technique, the Irozakiseries evokes French painter Claude Monet’s series of paintings that feature a single scene shown at different times of day and in a variety of seasons and weather.
Irozaki is located near the tip of the Izu peninsula, a sentimental location for the Yoshida family. In October 1949, Toshi’s father became ill on a sketching trip to Nagaoka in Izu, and he passed away the following April.
Source
Palmer Museum of Art, The Pennsylvania State University, Gift of Dale B. Harris.
Identifier
94.13
Rights
This image is posted publicly for non-profit educational uses, excluding printed publication. Other uses are not permitted.