Flying Over the Mountains (Yamagoe), from the series "The Tale of the Auklet (Uto Hanga-kan)"

Series:: The Tale of the Auklet (Uto Hanga-kan)
Date:: 1960
Medium:: Woodblock print
Edition:: Self-printed
Source:: Art Institute of Chicago

Typical Price

Significant or rare composition in excellent condition: $5,000–$30,000
Fine signed woodblock print: $1,000–$5,000
Good condition smaller work: $300–$1,500

Description

"Flying Over the Mountains" (Yamagoe) from the series "The Tale of the Auklet" depicts the moment in the narrative when a figure traverses the mountain barrier — the crossing of high terrain that in Japanese mythology and literature marks the transition between worlds. This 1960 print from the "Uto Hanga-kan" series shows Munakata translating the auklet narrative — a story of a bird's northward migration — into human and sacred terms, the mountain crossing rendered with the energy of transformation. The series as a whole used the seabird's journey as a vehicle for Munakata's deepest themes of passage and return.

More Prints by Shiko Munakata

Bodhisattva Manjusri (Monju bosatsu no saku), from the series Ten Great Disciples of the Buddha Sakyamuni (Shaka jûdai deshi), Shôwa period, undated (block carved 1948)

Shôwa period, 1926-1989

Woodblock print

Ragora (Rahula), from the series "Two Bodhisattva and Ten Great Disciples of Buddha Sakyamuni (Nibosatsu Shaka judai deshi)"

1939-68

Woodblock print

Ubari (Upali), from the series "Two Bodhisattva and Ten Great Disciples of Buddha Sakyamuni (Nibosatsu Shaka judai deshi)"

1939 (printed 1955)

Woodblock print

Furuna (Purnamaitrayaniputra), from the series "Two Bodhisattva and Ten Great Disciples of Buddha Sakyamuni (Nibosatsu Shaka judai deshi)"

More Landscapes Prints

Lake Kugushi in Wakasa Province (Wakasa Kugushiko), from the series Souvenirs of Travel I (Tabi miyage dai isshu)"

Wakasa Kugushiko

1920

Color woodblock print; oban

Autumn Maple Leaves at Takao, from the album Eight Views of Kyoto (Kyôto hakkei)

Woodblock print

The Beach at Kaiganji in Sanuki Province (Sanuki Kaiganji no hama), from the series "Collection of Views of Japan II, Kansai Edition (Nihon fukei shu II Kansai hen)"

1934

Color woodblock print; oban

Tea Kettle, section of a sheet from the series "Mirror of Stone Rubbings of Views of the Provinces" (Kohon meihitsu ishizuri kagami)

n.d.

Woodblock print; ishizuri-e, section of harimaze sheet

Featured in Collections

Curated cross-cuts that include this print.

Mount Fuji in Japanese Woodblock Prints Sōsaku-Hanga: The Creative-Print Movement Meisho-e: Famous-Place Prints Japanese Ghost and Yōkai Prints

Frequently Asked Questions

Flying Over the Mountains (Yamagoe), from the series "The Tale of the Auklet (Uto Hanga-kan)" was created by Shiko Munakata (棟方志功) in 1960.

Yes — Flying Over the Mountains (Yamagoe), from the series "The Tale of the Auklet (Uto Hanga-kan)" is part of the The Tale of the Auklet (Uto Hanga-kan) series by Shiko Munakata.

Flying Over the Mountains (Yamagoe), from the series "The Tale of the Auklet (Uto Hanga-kan)" depicts landscapes, figures, and mythology.