Posted by Arnold on May 30, 2003 at 13:17:47:
In Reply to: Artist for print "Spring Blossom View" posted by Patti Neal on May 30, 2003 at 10:15:47:
This is a very common motif so it is impossible to identify the artist without a display of the print on the website. If you could arrange this, I am sure you would get an instant identification.
Many have trouble arranging for a display although detailed instructions can be searched for on this site. However, if this doesn't work, I'd look for a dealer, art museum curator or do some research at a library.
The most useful book I know of for identifying prints is Richard Lane's "Images of the Floating World" which provides a dictionary of ukiyoe artists and thumbnails of representative work. It includes artists signatures. Another more specialized book which includes a catalogue is Swinton's "The Women of the Pleasure Quarter". You may be able to purchase these books through an internet seller like amazon.com.
First, I'd look for stylistic similarities between your print and the thumbnails. Then I'd try to match artists names with the name on the print. It is slow going at first but one learns a lot about prints in the process and eventually the relation between your print and the history of the subject.
Good luck.