Takeji Asano Spring in Kurama Temple

Product Description

Takeji Asano Spring in Kurama Temple

A beautifully detailed woodblock print by Asano depicting the Kurama Temple near Kyoto during cherry blossom season. Also called Kuramadera Haruiro.

Set in the very scenic northern mountains near Kyoto is the little rural village of Kurama.  The forests and mountains of Kurama are very scenic and home to some giant Cedar, Maple and Wisteria trees.

Originally printed in 1952 this later edition is also printed from the original woodblocks.  Asano’s seal is in black on the lower corner of the print. The publishers Seal of Unsodo and the Japanese title is on the left margin and the English title on the bottom.

This is a Large Oban woodblock print and the approximate sheet dimensions are 41 cm height and 28 cm width.  The print dimensions are 36.5 cm height and 24 cm width. The print is in excellent, unframed and unused condition.

Shipping is via Australia Post with tracking and and signature on delivery.

Kurama Temple was originally founded in 770 by a Monk from Nara’s Toushoudai-ji.  The monk was led to an area near the summit by a white horse where he saw a vision of the deity Bishamon-ten, guardian of the northern quarter of the Buddhist heaven.  Inspired by the vision he established Kurama-dera on that site.

Many festivals are held in the area throughout the year at Yuki-Jinja including the  Kurama Hi Matsuri Fire Festival held annually on October 22nd.

Takeji Asano 1900 – 1999

A native of Kyoto Asano graduated from Kyoto School of Fine Arts and Crafts in 1919.  He also completed Kyoto Specialist School of Painting in 1923. The Artist and Printmaker Tsuchida Bakusen was also one of his early teachers.

In 1930 Asano and Asadan and Tokuriki as well as other artists contributed several designs to a series of prints.  They were titled “Creative Prints of Twelve Months in new Kyoto”.

In 1947 also Asano designed and carved a series of landscape prints titled “Noted Views in the Kyoto-Osaka Area”.