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TOSHIKATA, Mizuno  (1866 - 1908)		Picture of the farewell of Kusonoki Masashige from his son, Masatsura, at Sakurai - a key block proof print -
		Signed:                    motome ni ojite Toshikata Publisher:              most likely Akiyama Buemon Date:                        c. 1890 Size:                         oban triptych (c. 38.5 x 28.5 cms / c. 15 1/8" x 11 1/4", each sheet,                                   three separate sheets) Condition: very good ref. no.:  # 561481-1 Price:  € 220.00

Kusonoki Masashige is here shown giving last instructions to his son, Masatsura, before going to fight and die at Minatogawa, in 1336. Key block prints represent the first step in the printing process. A number of prints were pulled from the key block, on which the artist indicated instructions for the coloring, each written on a separate proof sheet. From these the color blocks were cut. A typical element on Japanese key block prints are the 'kento' (registration marks) which were cut in each block, so that the final print sheet could be placed correctly on each color block. Key block prints have two kento, usually at the lower right corner and along the right paper edge. LINKS to more key block prints elsewhere in our web gallery, prints by: Chikanobu  ('bijin' prints)          Tamanami (?)  (a sumo print)

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