Taishō Pond
- Date:
- 1947
- Medium:
- Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
- Dimensions:
- 29.2 × 39.9 cm
- Edition:
- Self-printed
- Source:
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
Typical Price
$500–$5,000. Common mountain prints: $500–$1,500. Key value factors: Azechi's cheerful mountain prints have consistent demand. Larger and more complex compositions are most valued.
Description
The 1947 Taisho Pond—Taisho-ike in Kamikochi, formed by the 1915 volcanic eruption's lava dam—shows Azechi working with one of the Japanese Alps' most distinctive landscape features in the years immediately after the war. The dead conifer trees standing in the pond, preserved by the cold water and the complete absence of decay-causing fungi, created a landscape of haunting beauty. His bold simplified rendering would have given the stark dead forms against the reflecting water the graphic power they deserved.
More Prints by Umetaro Azechi
A House in the City (Machi no ie), from the series "Manchuria (Manshu)"
1944 (printed c. 1950 from recut block?)
Color woodblock print; oban
Red Wall (Akai kabe), from the series "Manchuria (Manshu)"
1944 (printed c. 1950 from recut block?)
Color woodblock print; oban
Cemetery at Sengakuji, from the series Recollections of Tokyo
1945
Color woodblock print
Brilliance
1961
Color woodblock print; edition 10/100
More Rivers & Lakes Prints
Lake Chuzenji, Nikko (Nikko Chuzenjiko)
Nikko Chuzenjiko
1930
Color woodblock print; oban
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
Gosai Canal in Niigata (Niigata Gosaibori), from the series "Souvenirs of Travel, Second Series (Tabi miyage dai nishu)"
Niigata Gosaibori
1921
Color woodblock print; oban
The Hori River at Obama (Obama Horikawa), from the series "Souvenirs of Travel, First Series (Tabi miyage dai isshu)"
Obama Horikawa
1920
Color woodblock print; oban
Featured in Collections
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Taishō Pond was created by Umetaro Azechi (畦地梅太郎) in 1947.
Taishō Pond depicts rivers & lakes.
Taishō Pond measures 29.2 × 39.9 cm.