Sanzo Wada

A Story-Teller ('Kamishibai')

Sanzo Wada's A Story-Teller (Kamishibai) is an original woodcut created by the Japanese artist between 1954 and 1956. This impression was acquired in its original paper matt. Along the lower border of the matt the publisher has provided the following text,

A Story-Teller (Kamishibai)

When he finds a good place for his business on the street, he stops and makes ready the pictures illustrating his stories in the case on his bicycle. Then he calls out, "Come and look! A grand picture show you've never seen!" striking the wooden clappers to attract attention.

Soon a crowd of children gather from all directions. The story-teller is very skillful in telling the story, imitating the voices of various people in the story. After the story is over, he sells candies. A pictorial story-teller is a Pied-piper of Hamelin in Japan, and the children are like the rats running after the piper.

Depicted by Sanzo Wada. Printed by Kyoto Hanga-In.

(Note: The original paper matt is included with this original woodcut.)

Original Japanese Woodcut by Sanzo Wada.

A Story-Teller ('Kamishibai')

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Title:	A Story-Teller ('Kamishibai')
Artist:	Wada, Sanzo (Tokyo & Nishinomiya, c. 1885 - 1960)
Date:	c. 1954 - 1956
Medium:	Original Woodcut
Publisher:	Kyoto Hanga-In
Note:	Sanzo Wada: A twentieth century Japanese painter and printmaker, Sanzo Wada studied Western style art techniques at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. He then completed his education in Europe, from 1907 to 1915. As well, he apparently traveled and worked in India and Burma at this time. In 1927 Sanzo Wada was appointed a full member Japan's Imperial Arts Academy and began teaching at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts.
	One of Sanzo Wada's best known accomplishments is his "Sketches of Showa Era Occupations" , which he initiated in 1938. In total he intended to create one hundred woodcuts detailing both traditional and new occupations of Japan's rapid modernization. Thus beside such ancient professions as Monks, Cormorant Fishermen, Dancers and Zen Priests one finds representations of Gasoline Servicemen, Professional Tennis Players, Boxers and Salvation Army workers. After completing forty-eight woodcuts this popular series was suspended in 1943, due to severe shortages created by World War Two.
	In 1954 the series was resurrected under the new title of "Continuing Sketches of Showa Era Occupations" by the publisher, Kyoto Hanga-In. During the following two years twenty-four further woodcuts were published. A Story-Teller (Kamishibai) was created at this time. Thus, in total, Sanzo Wada created seventy-two woodcuts upon this subject. Obviously they provide important historical and artistic information concerning the tumultuous era of mid twentieth century Japan.
Source:	Continuing Sketches of Showa Era Occupations
Size:	9 X 13 5/8 (Sizes in inches are approximate, height preceding width of plate-mark or image.)
	Matted with 100% Archival Materials
Condition:	Printed upon mid twentieth century Japanese mulberry (rice) paper and with full margins as published by Kyoto Hanga-In between 1954 and 1956. Signed by both the artist and publisher within the block. Containing slight foxing within the image and matt burning on the extreme outer margins, else a fine impression with strong, unfaded colors. Altogether, A Story-Teller ('Kamishibai') represents a prime, original example of the historical art of Sanzo Wada.
Price:	Sold - The price is no longer available.
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