Gallery 4K; Saitō Kiyoshi — The Christenson Collection of Miniature Japanese Woodblock Prints

Gallery 4K: Saito Kiyoshi

Saito Kiyoshi (1907 –1997) was a sōsaku-hanga artist who often depicted images of life in Aizu, the region of Japan from where he originated. He also produced works with more abstract imagery. Some of his smaller works could be considered to be more commercial in nature as seen in several examples in the collection below. Saitō produced works using the woodblock technique. However, other works of his combined woodblock with other media formats. Some of his smaller works were produced using offset lithography as well.

Tajimaya Inn in Magome. Late 1930s to 40s. 14.5 x 11.0 cm

Winter in Aizu. Undated. 15.1 x 10.8. (Possible Mixed Media)

Winter scene on a Christmas and New Year Card. Undated. 14.3 x 11.2 cm

Winter in Aizu. Undated. 13.8 x 10.6 cm

Undated (after 1945).13.4 x 8.4 cm

Undated (after 1945). 8.5 x 13.6 cm

Untitled. Image from a blank card. 9.5 x 18.0 cm

Untitled. Image from a blank card. 9.3 x 18.1 cm

Untitled. Image from a blank card. 9.4 x 18.3 cm.

Untitled. Image of two children on a blank card. 9.5 x 18.0 cm

The twelve images in this section are from a 1950s boxed set of small notecards by Saito Kiyoshi (1907-1997). The images have been printed directly onto the cards. Although the prints appear to be produced by the woodblock printing process, a close examination of the design Temple of Moss, Kyoto, reveals a dot matrix for the light gray walls and spaces between the stones, which suggests that these areas were printed by offset lithography. None of the other prints have such features. Saito is known for using woodblock printing combined with other techniques which may be the case here. However, it would seem unusual that this was confined to only one print.