Posted by Chihiro Tosh Doi on March 06, 2002 at 06:18:55:
In Reply to: label from unsodo portfolio,showa 1 or 21? posted by fred mccord on March 04, 2002 at 14:29:59:
Dear Fred,
Unsodo label reads as follows:
[Right Half]
TOUTO YUKIMI HAKKEI(Eihgt Snow Views in Edo) by Hiroshige 1st (as artist)
Evening Snow in Ryogoku/ Morning Snow in Kawasaki
After Snow in Kasumigaseki/ Shinobazu Pond in Ueno
Asakusa Kinryuzan Temple/ Meguro Fudo Temple
At Sumida River Bank/ Night Snow in Takanawa
[Left Half]
printed on June 10 in Showa 21 (1946)
published on June 15 in Showa 21 (1946)
Published by Yamada Shigeji (or Shigeharu)
Publisher: Gomei Gaisha (not Goben) UNSODO
followed by address and phone no. in Kyoto
All rights reserved
I supposed all these prints were originally designed by Hiroshige 1st and pubulished in late 19th century. Afterwards Unsodo restriked and published them sometime in early Showa (possiblly in 1928, Showa 3, BOSHIN year indicated in round seal). Then in 1946, Showa 21, Unsodo published them again by using their restriked woodblooks. Although I cannot confirm these 8 print images, Unsodo might choose 8 nice views with snow among Edo Famous One Hundred Views by Hiroshige.
In regard to Unsodo, Yamada Naozaburo started his publishing business in 1891, Kyoto and then in 1906 he formed a Gomei Gaisha of Unsodo together with his brothers named Ichijiro & Kinnosuke. Yamada Shigeji should be a son of either one of 3 brothers (second generation) and succeeded its business.
I am curious about who were the carvers and printers for those 8 prints. If thier seal images were available at chat board, I am glad to help you to identify them.
Regards,