 – “Eight Views of Omi: Japanese Woodblock Prints” at the Virginia Museum of Art is an exhibition by Ito Shinsui, who was a pioneer of modern Japanese…){kind=link}
RICHMOND, VA (PNAN) – “Eight Views of Omi: Japanese Woodblock Prints” at the Virginia Museum of Art is an exhibition by Ito Shinsui, who was a pioneer of modern Japanese prints known as shin-hanga (new prints), a traditional woodblock printmaking technique that emphasized collaboration between the artist, publisher, block carver and printer, is on view through July 9, 2023 in the Mary Ann Frable Works on Paper Gallery.
Born in Tokyo, this artist began apprenticing with printmaking master Kaburagi Kiyokata at age 13. In 1915, Shinsui designed one of the first shin-hanga prints, and three years later, he created Eight Views of Omi, which was produced by the publisher Watanabe Shozaburo.
Known for its natural wonders, temples, and shrines, Omi is an ancient Japanese province situated around Lake Biwa near Kyoto. Since the Heian period, Omi had attracted emperors, imperial families, and noblemen for retreat and exile from the outside world.