Gallery 9: Woodblock Printed Postcards
Japanese postcards were extensively produced by the woodblock printing technique after Japanese regulations allowed for images on postcards in 1900. This continued despite the popularity of photo postcards and images printed using other available techniques. Many artists celebrated for their work in larger formats also produced images for postcards, which represented a financial opportunity, a chance for greater recognition, and/or followed the tradition of sending out postcards to friends during the New Year. Postcards were also published depicting reproductions of miniaturized Ukiyo-e images. Although the latter are not of great interest for this collection, a few designs have been obtained to demonstrate the exceptional technical skills used for what is typically an ephemeral paper product.
Additional woodblock printed postcards can be viewed in these galleries
9A Designs by Tokuriki Tomikichiro
9C Puppet Theater Prints by Saito Seijiro
9D Postcards from a Sosaku Hanga Club’s New Year Postcard Exchange
9G Designs by Hasegawa Sadanobu
Additional woodblock printed postcards can be found with other prints in galleries specific to these artists:
Takahashi Shotei Gallery 3A
Asano Takeji Gallery 3C
Kawase Hasui Gallery 3E
Sin Gallery 3L
Azechi Umataro Gallery 4B
The three postcard prints above are signed “Hiroshige”, an obvious misattribution to the earlier Ukiyo-e artist. The right hand image is pirated from Inoue Yasuji’s True Pictures of Famous Places in Tokyo. The composition of that image is also very similar to the middle third of a vertical design by Kobayashi Kiyochika. Since the tree cards came together it is assumed that the other images are likely taken from Yasuji works. Postcards are 13.9 x 8.8 cm. Backs are those used from 1918-1933.
The envelope and three postcards below are from the series Pearl Divers in Ise-Shima National Park by Kadowaki Shunichi (1913-2006) which was published in the 1970-1980s
Kanja Kosaku (1912-2012)
Kusakabe Mansion, Home of the Kusakabe Mingeikan (Folk Craft Museum). From the postcard set Hida Takayama. Mori Doshun supervising editor. Publisher Fujiya. 1966-1972. 10.3 x 15.1 cm [See back]
Karhu Clifton (1927-2007)
Promotional postcard for Ashiya Steak House and Gallery, Kyoto. Undated. 14.9 x 10.4
Kobayashi Kaichi (1896-1968)
From the series Travel Sadness. Published by Sakuraiya, Kyoto. 1918-1933 back. 8.9 x 14.0 cm
Kobayashi Kaichi (1896-1968)
Published by Sakuraiya, Kyoto. 1918-1933 back. 9.0 x 14.2 cm
Kobayashi Shigemaro
Men with Rice Bails. 1935 Boar Year Post Card. Sponsored by Naniwa Zeirokuan. Addressed on back to Uchida Motokazu of Uchida Art Company. 8.9 x 14.2 cm
Kotozuka Eiichi (1906-1979)
Osaka Castle (Suisho Bridge in foreground). (T. Tokuriki Back). 13.9 x 8.9 cm
Kotozuka Eiichi (1906-1979)
Osaka Castle, Kobayashi Exit. (T. Tokuriki Back). 13.9 x 9.0 cm
Machida Kyokuko (1879-1967)
Commercial new year card for year of the rooster. Published by Shoseido, Tokyo. 1921 or 1933. 8.8 x 14.1 cm
Nakamura Fusetsu (1886-1943)
The Main Gate of Zōjō-ji in Snow. Published by Shimbikwai, Tokyo. Between 1900-1907. 14.1 x 9.1 cm
Onogahara Tatsuji (1924-2007)
Miyagawa Riverbanks. From postcard set Hida Takayama. Mori Doshun supervising editor. Published by Fujiya. 1966-1972. 15.1 x 10.3 cm [See Back]
Takahashi Tasaburō (1904-1977)
Daimonji Fire Festival, Kyoto. From Hanga Gion Maigi (Dancers in Kyoto). Published by Matsukyu (Tokuriki back).. 1950s-60s. 9.0 x 13.8 cm
Torii Kiyosada (1844-1901)
Unknown Actor as Princess Taima. Adapted from a larger kabuki print. Before 1945. 9.1 x 14.3 cm
Takeda S.
This is a postcard set by the artist Takeda S. who has yet to be further identified. A possible candidate is the sōsaku-hanga artist Takeda Shintarō (1886-1957)
Futagoura on Shōdo Island. Undated (after 1945). 13.7 x 9.6 cm
Kankakei. Undated (after 1945). 13.8 x 9.6 cm
This is set is by the artist Tusruzu Ishii (1887-1973) titled Gasshou Style Village Houses in Hida. It was published in the 1950-1970s.
The following postcards have yet to be identified. Some have artist seals whereas others lack any identifying information. It is likely that many of the artists that contributed to woodblock postcards may never be identified. If you have any information that could assist in identifying the artists and/or publishers please contact us.
Unidentified artist
A Girl Enjoying a New Year Pasttime. Between 1918 and 1933. 9.0 x 14.0 cm
Unidentified artist
Great Buddha at Daibutsuden. Published by Matsukyo (Tokuriki back). Between 1933 and 1045. 9.0 x 13.8 cm
Unidentified artist
Playing the Koto. Before 1933. 14.0 x 9.0 cm
Unidentified Artist
Tea Ceremony Room (Soyotei). Published for the Kyoyamato Hotel. 14.0 x 9.0 cm
Unidentified artist
Gion Shirakawa. Published by Matsukyu (Tokuriki Back). 1Undated (after 1945). 13.9 x 9.0 cm
Unidentified Artist
Year of the Rabbit Postcard Depicting a Senjafuda. 1939. 9.0 x 14.1 cm
These postcards all share a back from the publisher Kobayashi Bunshichi. The collection’s Yoshida Hiroshi postcard (above) also has this back.
Unidentified artist
Boats under the Moon. Before 1933. 13.9 x 9.0 cm
Unidentified artist
Sail Reflected on Water. Late Meiji. period. 8.9 x 13.9 cm
A perwar set of souvenir woodblock printed postcards by un unidentified artist. Published by Gahosha, Hongo, Tokyo.
Kyoto no Nadokoro. A set of 4 postcards by an unidentified artist that were published by Sakuraiya after 1945.
Unidentified artist
Actor in the Kabuki Play Musume Dōjōji. Undated. 14.0 x 8.6 cm
Postcard Envelope. See interior text here.
This is a set of postcards from the 1970s featuring views of Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion Temple). The postcards and the envelope do not identify the artist(s).