Sacred Crane D, LE

This second impression from the "Sacred Crane D, LE" edition shares its letter designation with the primary D edition, indicating that both works present the same variant — the fourth distinct color or compositional state in the Sacred Crane series — but that this impression is a separate copy within the limited run. In [sosaku-hanga](/glossary/sosaku-hanga), editions were typically small, and individual impressions within a lettered edition could show subtle variation in ink density or background tone due to hand-printing. The D designation places this among the later states in the sequence, where Kawano may have moved further from the original color scheme, testing the motif against a more restrained or more saturated palette. The crane's form — likely carved with decisive black outlines around white plumage areas, with a vermillion crown accent — would remain consistent across impressions while the ground blocks vary. Holding two impressions of the same lettered edition allows comparison of hand-printing variability, a quality valued by collectors of sosaku-hanga for the evidence it provides of the artist's direct hand in production.