Work Title: Mō'ō no Koi (夢応の鯉魚) Artist: Shiko Munakata (棟方志功，1903-1975) Technique: Woodblock Print Artist’s Seal on Print: Included Sheet Size: 34 × 31 cm (13.39 × 12.20 in) Sheet Material: Washi (和紙) Publisher: Yasukawa Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd. (株式会社 安川電機製作所) This striking black-and-white woodblock print Mō'ō no Koi (夢応の鯉魚) is part of the Kokō no Tana (哭叩の棚) series created by renowned Japanese printmaker Shiko Munakata (棟方志功) in the 1960s. It was compiled and officially published by Yasukawa Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd. (安川電機製作所) in November 1989. The geometrically stylized figures and exaggerated, vivid expressions in the composition are quintessential of Munakata’s signature approach: "reconstructing folk life scenes with raw, unadorned expressiveness." The detailed depiction of the fish, paired with the dramatic contrast between black and white blocks, delivers powerful visual impact—it inherits the essence of traditional Japanese sumi-zuri-e (墨折絵) techniques while integrating the artist’s iconic "free carving" style, allowing the rough texture of the knife marks to stand out vividly on the sheet. As a leading figure in Japan’s modern mingei (民芸) printmaking, Munakata’s works blend the flat decorative aesthetics of ukiyo-e (浮世絵) with the abstract expressive language of Western modern art, while remaining deeply rooted in Japanese local folk life. This ultimately forged his distinctive artistic style: "rough yet brimming with vibrant vitality." The artist’s seal is present in the lower right corner of the print. The back of the sheet bears the publication details: "1989, Shiko Munakata, Mō'ō no Koi, Woodblock Print Album, November, Kokō no Tana, Yasukawa Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd."（1989 年 棟方志功 「夢応の鯉魚」 版画冊 11 月 哭叩の棚 株式会社 安川電機製作所）. Affected by age, the sheet exhibits natural aging signs including oxidation-induced yellowing and creases. The work is in overall good condition. Note: Frame not included. Image shown for display purposes only. Shiko Munakata was originally named Kumao Munakata. He enrolled in the Western Painting Department of the Tokyo School of Fine Arts but later dropped out due to financial constraints. In 1927, he dedicated himself fully to printmaking. Influenced initially by traditional Japanese ukiyo-e (浮世絵) and Western Expressionism, he developed a distinctive style characterized by dramatic black-and-white contrasts and bold, concise lines, with subject matter encompassing folk tales and mythology. His career gained momentum in 1936 when his works were selected for the First Independent Art Association Exhibition. In 1955, he was designated a Living National Treasure by the Japanese government—a prestigious official title for bearers of Japan’s intangible cultural heritage. His artworks have been exhibited extensively both domestically and internationally, playing a pivotal role in introducing Japanese printmaking to the global stage. His artistic legacy continues to inspire countless printmakers to this day. - The picture is part of the description. The color of the item may be slightly different from the picture (due to camera and screen settings). - The successful bidder will be responsible for any customs duties and taxes (if applicable). - This item will be mailed by the postal service of Taiwan in the form of airmail with insurance attached.