Cherry Blossoms in Nara — 奈良の春
- Date:
- circa 1930-1950
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Format:
- Oban
- Source:
$200–$2,000. Still life prints are among the artist's most iconic works. Good temple/seasonal scenes: $500–$1,200. Key value factors: Kotozuka's Kyoto prints are popular and affordable. Seasonal temple scenes and garden views are most sought after.
Dated to circa 1930–1950, this print depicts the cherry blossoms of Nara, the ancient capital south of Kyoto whose Yoshino region was the most celebrated [sakura](/glossary/sakura) viewing site in Japan. The Japanese subtitle 奈良の春 (Nara no Haru, 'Nara in Spring') confirms its topographic character. Nara's blossom landscapes typically feature the deer that freely inhabit the park precincts of Nara-koen, along with the great curved rooflines of Todai-ji or Kasuga Grand Shrine visible through blossoming canopy. Kotozuka would have applied his characteristic graduated sky in pale rose or lilac to evoke the misty warmth of early April, with the blossoming trees rendered in layered pink overprints on absorbent [washi](/glossary/washi) to achieve petal softness impossible in Western printmaking media.
Kumoi sakura
1926
Color woodblock print
1935
Color woodblock print
Romon
1935
Color woodblock print
円山公園桜
Woodblock print
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Cherry Blossoms in Nara — 奈良の春 was created by Kotozuka Eiichi (琴塚英一) in circa 1930-1950.
Cherry Blossoms in Nara — 奈良の春 depicts cherry blossoms, set at Nara.
