The Only Complete Set, Outside of the Smithsonian, of Gekko’s Artwork from Japan For The First Time Ever, The Complete Set of Japan’s First Internationally Acclaimed Artist, Ogata Gekko’s Woodblock Print Series Titled ‘Gekko’s Artwork’ is Now Being Offered for Sale.
News-Antique.com - Nov 30,-0001 - Inside Studios is offering for sale the only existing complete set, outside of the set in the Smithsonian, of this historically important and exceedingly rare series by Japan's first artist to receive international acclaim, Ogata Gekko (1859-1920). In fact, this set, which comes from a Japanese collection, includes the only known copy of the title page for this series, something that even the Smithsonian's set lacks, which may explain why they have mis-titled the series, 12 Kacho, which means 12 Bird and Flower prints. This signature series of 13 (12 plus title page) woodblock prints by Gekko was the only one in which he incorporated his name into the series title, Gekko Gahou, which means Gekko's Artwork. This certainly indicates the pride he felt in this series, and is a confident declaration from a mature artist that ukiyo, the floating world, may be ephemeral, but this art that bears his name is for the ages. At the same time, though he was one of Japan's greatest artists, he displayed a sense of humor throughout his work, and a willingness to poke fun even at himself is evident in the print from this series pictured here that is a satirical self-portrait of the artist as a monkey in an artist's smock. In addition to being the only complete set, these are the finest surviving examples of each print in this series. You will not find any of these individual prints in better condition. The last time Inside Studios announced the availability of a complete set of work from the Gekko oeuvre, it sold within days. (See the 9/23/05 press release posted here under the following title: “For The 1st Time, a Complete Set of Woodblock Print Books by Japan’s Ogata Gekko is Offered for Sale”.) This is likely the last time you will see an item from Japan of such important cultural and historical significance being offered at a relatively affordable price.
Inside Studios also maintains a separate non-commercial educational website devoted to Ogata Gekko (http://www.ogatagekko.com). You will find images and information there that cannot be found anywhere else.
Inside Studios (http://www.insidestudios.org) is a dealer in Asian art and antiques, specializing in museum quality, investment grade art by Japanese painter and print artist, Ogata Gekko, the first Japanese artist in any medium to receive widespread international acclaim and international prizes. To see this cultural and historical treasure, go to the Inside Studios website (http://www.insidestudios.org), and then click on the Japan link at the top right of the page, under Browse By Category.
