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Imprinting in Their Time: Japanese Printmakers, 1912–2022

Scaife Gallery 1 June 18, 2023–May 12, 2024
Matsushima in Moonlight (Tsuki no Matsushima)
Kawase Hasui, printmaker Japanese, 1883–1957 Watanabe Shōzaburō, publisher Japanese, 1885–1962, Matsushima in Moonlight (Tsuki no Matsushima), 1919 woodblock print on paper H: 14 1/4 in. x W: 19 1/4 in. (36.20 x 48.90 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.151 © S. Watanabe Color Print Co.; photo: Carnegie Museum of Art

Imprinting in Their Time: Japanese Printmakers, 1912–2022 presents a survey of Japanese prints throughout the 20th century up to present day. The exhibition examines how the role of a printmaker has transformed through international encounters, new sources of inspiration, and artistic motivation.

Drawn largely from the museum’s extensive collection of Japanese prints, the exhibition highlights a significant yet rarely seen part of its holdings, in addition to special loans from local private collections. Imprinting in Their Time: Japanese Printmakers, 1912–2022 features masterworks by Kawase Hasui, Yoshida Hiroshi, Munakata Shikō, Saitō Kiyoshi, and new work by Hamanishi Katsunori and Morimura Ray.

The exhibition offers three fresh experiences for visitors, with new rotations of works appearing on October 14, 2023 and February 3, 2024. Each rotation consists of approximately 90 works on paper and proceeds thematically, beginning with works from the shin-hanga (new prints) movement, moving through works from the sōsaku-hanga (creative prints) movement, and ending with contemporary prints from the 1980s to the present day.

Imprinting in Their Time: Japanese Printmakers, 1912–2022 is curated by Akemi May, associate curator of works on paper, with Emily Mirales, curatorial assistant.

Additional Resources

Check out this video to learn more from Akemi May, associate curator of works on paper, who organized this exhibition.

Events and Programming

a print of two people by a lake.
Sat., Sept. 30, 2023, 1 p.m.
a relief print block
Sat., Mar. 9, 2024, 1 p.m.

Third Rotation Images

Matsubara Naoko Japanese, born 1937 Conservatory II,
Matsubara Naoko Japanese, born 1937 Conservatory II, block 1962, print 2007 woodblock print on paper H: 22 in. x W: 28 in. (55.88 x 71.12 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Gift of Lila Penchansky in memory of Vera Levin de Penchansky, 2007.92 © Naoko Matsubara. By permission; photo: Carnegie Museum of Art
Lady Slipper Orchids Yoshida Fujio Japanese, 1887–1987,
Yoshida Fujio Japanese, 1887–1987, Lady Slipper Orchids, 1954 woodblock print on paper H: 16 in. x W: 10 7/8 in. (40.64 x 27.62 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Second Century Acquisition Fund, 2023.4.2 © Yoshida Fujio; photo: Carnegie Museum of Art
Young Woman in a Summer Kimono (Natsu yosôi no musume)
Hashiguchi Goyō Japanese, 1880–1921, Young Woman in a Summer Kimono (Natsu yosôi no musume), 1920 woodblock print on paper H: 28 in. x W: 22 in. (71.12 x 55.88 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Gift of Dr. James B. Austin, 87.37.3 Photo: Carnegie Museum of Art
Ohara Koson Japanese, 1877–1945 Watanabe Shōzaburō
Ohara Koson Japanese, 1877–1945 Watanabe Shōzaburō, publisher Japanese, 1885–1962, Cockatoo and Pomegranate, 1927 woodblock print on paper H: 15 7/16 in. x W: 10 1/4 in. (39.21 x 26.04 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.1110 Photo: Carnegie Museum of Art
Onchi Kōshirō Japanese, 1891–1955, Observations on the Human Body, Breast
Onchi Kōshirō Japanese, 1891–1955, Observations on the Human Body, Breast, 1927 woodblock print on paper H: 22 in. x W: 16 in. (55.88 x 40.64 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.1127 Photo: Carnegie Museum of Art
Yamamura Toyonari (Koka) Japanese, 1885–1942
Yamamura Toyonari (Koka) Japanese, 1885–1942 Watanabe Shōzaburō, publisher Japanese, 1885–1962, The Actor Bandô Mitsugorô as the Mute in the Play Sannin Katawa, 1922 woodblock print on paper H: 16 1/4 in. x W: 11 3/16 in. (41.28 x 28.42 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.1414 Photo: Carnegie Museum of Art
Yellow Iris: Yoshida Fujio Japanese, 1887–1987
Yoshida Fujio Japanese, 1887–1987 Yellow Iris, 1954 woodcut on paper H: 22 in. x W: 16 in. (55.88 x 40.64 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.1475 © Yoshida Fujio; photo: Carnegie Museum of Art
Carp in a Pond (Ike no koi)
Yoshida Hiroshi Japanese, 1876–1950 Carp in a Pond (Ike no koi), 1926 woodblock print on paper H: 16 3/16 in. x W: 10 7/8 in. (41.12 x 27.62 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.1479 © Yoshida Hiroshi; photo: Carnegie Museum of Art
Yoshida Hodaka Japanese, 1926–1995, Hakuhô-butsu
Yoshida Hodaka Japanese, 1926–1995, Hakuhô-butsu, 1954 woodcut on paper H: 16 in. x W: 11 in. (40.64 x 27.94 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.1485 © Yoshida Hodaka; photo: Carnegie Museum of Art
From My Collection - Houses on a Slope (Watakushi no korekushon yori - Sakamichi no ie)
Yoshida Hodaka Japanese, 1926–1995, From My Collection - Houses on a Slope (Watakushi no korekushon yori - Sakamichi no ie), 1980 woodcut with photoengraving on paper H: 28 1/2 in. x W: 21 5/8 in. (72.39 x 54.93 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.1487 © Yoshida Hodaka; photo: Carnegie Museum of Art
Kawase Hasui, printmaker Japanese, 1883–1957 Watanabe Shōzaburō,
Kawase Hasui, printmaker Japanese, 1883–1957 Watanabe Shōzaburō, publisher Japanese, 1885–1962, Summer in Itako (Itako no Natsu), c. 1945-1946 woodblock print on paper H: 19 1/4 in. x W: 14 1/4 in. (48.90 x 36.20 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.149 © S. Watanabe Color Print Co.; photo: Carnegie Museum of Art
Matsushima in Moonlight (Tsuki no Matsushima)
Kawase Hasui, printmaker Japanese, 1883–1957 Watanabe Shōzaburō, publisher Japanese, 1885–1962, Matsushima in Moonlight (Tsuki no Matsushima), 1919 woodblock print on paper H: 14 1/4 in. x W: 19 1/4 in. (36.20 x 48.90 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.151 © S. Watanabe Color Print Co.; photo: Carnegie Museum of Art
Komagata Embankment
Kawase Hasui, printmaker Japanese, 1883–1957 Watanabe Shōzaburō, publisher Japanese, 1885–1962, Komagata Embankment (Komagatagashi), 1919 woodblock print on paper H: 16 in. x W: 22 in. (40.64 x 55.88 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.170 © S. Watanabe Color Print Co.; photo: Carnegie Museum of Art
Rain in Maekawa, Soshu (Sôshû, Maekawa no ame)
Kawase Hasui, printmaker Japanese, 1883–1957 Watanabe Shōzaburō, publisher Japanese, 1885–1962, Rain in Maekawa, Soshu (Sôshû, Maekawa no ame), 1932 woodblock print on paper H: 22 in. x W: 16 in. (55.88 x 40.64 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.173 © S. Watanabe Color Print Co.; photo: Carnegie Museum of Art
Nakajima Jūtarō of Sōsaku-Hanga Club
Henmi Takashi Japanese, 1895–1944 Nakajima Jūtarō of Sōsaku-Hanga Club, publisher Japanese, active early 20th century, Ushigome Mitsuke , c. 1929-1932 woodblock print on paper H: 14 1/4 in. x W: 19 1/4 in. (36.20 x 48.90 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.189.13 Photo: Carnegie Museum of Art
Minstrel at Ikenohata, 1921 woodblock print on paper
Itō Shinsui Japanese, 1898–1972 Watanabe Shōzaburō, publisher Japanese, 1885–1962, Minstrel at Ikenohata, 1921 woodblock print on paper H: 22 in. x W: 16 in. (55.88 x 40.64 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.458 Photo: Carnegie Museum of Art
Fujimori Shizuo Japanese, 1891–1943 Nakajima Jūtarō of Sōsaku-Hanga Club, publisher Japanese, active early 20th century, Lecture Hall
Fujimori Shizuo Japanese, 1891–1943 Nakajima Jūtarō of Sōsaku-Hanga Club, publisher Japanese, active early 20th century, Lecture Hall, Tokyo Imperial University (Teidai Kôdô), 8/31/1930 woodblock print on paper H: 19 1/4 in. x W: 14 1/4 in. (48.90 x 36.20 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.67.8 Photo: Carnegie Museum of Art
Suwa Kanenori Japanese, 1897–1932 Nakajima Jūtarō of Sōsaku-Hanga Club, publisher
Suwa Kanenori Japanese, 1897–1932 Nakajima Jūtarō of Sōsaku-Hanga Club, publisher Japanese, active early 20th century, Asakusa, 1930 woodblock print on paper H: 19 1/4 in. x W: 14 1/4 in. (48.90 x 36.20 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.732.6 Photo: Carnegie Museum of Art

Second Rotation Images: Oct. 14 2023–Jan. 28, 2024

A Window in Fatehpur-Sikri
Yoshida Hiroshi, A Window in Fatehpur-Sikri, 1931 woodblock print on paper H: 22 in. x W: 16 in. (55.88 x 40.64 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Gift of Mrs. E. F. Shumaker, 85.26.1 © Yoshida Hiroshi
a woodblock of an ocean with mountain in a background
Itō Shinsui, Hira, 1917, woodblock print on paper, Carnegie Museum of Art, Gift of Carroll W. Marks and James McClain, 67.10.3
a river valley with mountains covered in snow
Kawase Hasui, Watanabe Shōzaburō, publisher, Kiso (Kisô no Nezame), 1925 woodblock print on paper H: 19 1/4 in. x W: 14 1/4 in. (48.90 x 36.20 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.153
a print
Kawase Hasui, Watanabe Shōzaburō, publisher, Guest House in the Pines at Pond's Edge (Matsu no chihan no ryoôei), 1920 woodblock print on paper H: 16 in. x W: 22 in. (40.64 x 55.88 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.166.5
two men in a kabuki theater garb woodblock print
Natori Shunsen, Watanabe Shōzaburō, publisher, Soganoya Gorō and Soganoya Choroku in the play Hizakurige, 1927 woodblock print on paper H: 15 13/16 in. x W: 10 7/8 in. (40.16 x 27.62 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.1278
woodblock print of japanese actor Nakamura Ganjiro as Kamiya Jihei
Yoshikawa Kanpo, Satō Shōtarō, publisher, Actor Nakamura Ganjirō I as Kamiya Jihei, 1923 woodblock print on paper H: 16 1/8 in. x W: 10 3/4 in. (40.96 x 27.31 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.1505
winter bouquet woodcut on paper by Yoshida Chizuko
Yoshida Chizuko, Winter Bouquet, 1955 woodcut on paper H: 18 in. x W: 24 in. (45.72 x 60.96 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.1473 © Yoshida Chizuko
woodcut on paper, abstract of a human sitting on a chair
Yoshida Hodaka, Miroku-bosatsu, 1954 woodcut on paper H: 20 in. x W: 16 in. (50.80 x 40.64 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.1488 © Yoshida Hodaka
woodcut on paper of a colorful mountain amongst a black background by Yoshida Toshi
Yoshida Tōshi, Silence (Seijaku), 1969 woodcut on paper H: 24 3/4 in. x W: 18 1/4 in. (62.87 x 46.35 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.1498 © Yoshida Toshi Trust
A japanese building covered with snow: Snow at Inokashira
Kawase Hasui, Watanabe Shōzaburō, publisher, Snow at Inokashira (Inokashira no yuki), 1928 woodblock print on paper H: 28 in. x W: 22 in. (71.12 x 55.88 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.180
Okane Road Shiobara
Kawase Hasui, Watanabe Shōzaburō, The Okane Road, Shiobara (Shiobara Okanemichi), 1918 woodblock print on paper H: 22 in. x W: 16 in. (55.88 x 40.64 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.174
japanese woodblock of a woman hanging a lantern as it is snowing outside
Takehisa Yumeji, Untitled (Woman with Lantern), c. 1920 woodblock print on paper H: 19 1/4 in. x W: 14 1/4 in. (48.90 x 36.20 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh: Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin, 89.28.1521

First Rotation Images: June 24–Oct. 8, 2023

an old man's face rendered artistically
Natori Shunsen, The Actor Onoe Matsusuke IV as Koheii, 1925, Carnegie Museum of Art, Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin
a woman in a kimono
Hashiguchi Goyō, Woman in a Summer Kimono (Natsui no onna), 1920, Carnegie Museum of Art, Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin
A red interior
Kurosaki Akira, Red Darkness, 1970 Collection of Dr. Lila Penchansky
A rainy city scene.
Kawase Hasui, Uchiyamashita, Okayama, 1923, Collection of Dr. Lila Penchansky
a boat at night
Oda Kazuma, Catching Whitebait at Nakaumi, Izumo (Izumo nakaumi shirauo tori), 1924, Carnegie Museum of Art, Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin
a cityscape
Yoshida Hiroshi, Evening in Pittsburgh (Pittsubaagu no yû), 1928, Carnegie Museum of Art, Bequest of Dr. James B. Austin

Support

Generous support for the exhibition has been provided by the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation. Additional support has been provided by the Bernard S. and Barbara F. Mars Fund.

Carnegie Museum of Art’s exhibition program is supported by the Carnegie Museum of Art Exhibition Fund and The Fellows of Carnegie Museum of Art.

Carnegie Museum of Art is supported by The Heinz Endowments and Allegheny Regional Asset District. Carnegie Museum of Art receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Premier Partners

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