From Collected Illustrations of Japanese Toys by Kawasaki Kyosen (1877–1942), this plate sets a large white festival mask, painted with the bold black and orange lines of kabuki make-up, against a pink-red carp streamer. The fierce face and the soaring carp belong together in seasonal celebration, where both ward off harm and call for strength.
Kyosen drew the pair from observation and printed them as omocha-e, a woodblock picture of toys. The mask's strong, symmetrical features fill much of the sheet, while the carp's flowing form gives the design movement. Flat colour and a plain ground keep the contrast crisp and direct.
On a wall the print is striking but unfussy. The bold mask makes a confident focal point for a hallway, a study or a child's room, and its red, black and white scheme reads clearly from across a room.
Offered as an unframed print on thick matte paper, framed behind shatter-resistant acrylic, or as a satin-coated cotton canvas, ea . . . Read More >>
From Collected Illustrations of Japanese Toys by Kawasaki Kyosen (1877–1942), this plate sets a large white festival mask, painted with the bold black and orange lines of kabuki make-up, against a pink-red carp streamer. The fierce face and the soaring carp belong together in seasonal celebration, where both ward off harm and call for strength.
Kyosen drew the pair from observation and printed them as omocha-e, a woodblock picture of toys. The mask's strong, symmetrical features fill much of the sheet, while the carp's flowing form gives the design movement. Flat colour and a plain ground keep the contrast crisp and direct.
On a wall the print is striking but unfussy. The bold mask makes a confident focal point for a hallway, a study or a child's room, and its red, black and white scheme reads clearly from across a room.
Offered as an unframed print on thick matte paper, framed behind shatter-resistant acrylic, or as a satin-coated cotton canvas, each faithful to the colour and hand-cut line of the original.
Frequently asked questions
What is depicted in this print?
A large white festival mask in bold kabuki-style black and orange, set against a pink-red carp streamer — Japanese folk toys drawn from life.
Why a mask and a carp together?
Both belong to seasonal celebration: the fierce mask is associated with warding off harm and the carp with strength and perseverance.
Who is the artist?
Kawasaki Kyosen (1877–1942), who recorded Japanese folk toys as woodblock omocha-e in the early twentieth century.
Where does this bold print suit?
Its confident mask makes a strong focal point for a hallway, study or child's room, and the red-black-white scheme reads clearly across a room.
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Japan historical period: Taisho 大正 (1912-1925)
Check out other artwork of Kawasaki Kyosen
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#Classic
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#Illustration
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#Japanese
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#Japanese Traditional
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#Japanese Woodblock Print
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#Kawasaki Kyosen
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#Sketch
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#Ukiyo-E
