Kyoto and its landmarks were arguably the favorite subject for Tomikichiro Tokuriki. He made several series of views of Kyoto. This particular series, Twelve Themes of Kyoto, is from his latter period, and combines all his talents and experience. These are now hard to find in unused condition. The Ohara area in Kyoto has been known as Gyozan for more than a thousand years. It is the birthplace of Shomyo (Buddhist sutra chanting) and known as a sacred spot in the belief of Jodo (Pure Land Buddhism) among Nembutsu-Hijiri (prayer mendicant priests). Sanzen-in Temple was originally established as a hermitage by Saicho (767-822), or Dengyo Daishi, when he founded Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei, Shiga Prefecture. The temple is one of the five Tendai Monzeki temples, and certain members of the imperial family served here in the priesthood throughout the temple’s history. It was officially named Sanzen-in in 1871. (Source: www.sanzenin.or.jp) Tomikichiro Tokuriki was a modern Japanese woodblock printmaker. He represented the 12th generation of a Kyoto artisan family designated as the official Kyoto print artists for the famous Honganji Temple. He graduated from Kyoto City School of Fine Arts and Kyoto City Specialist School of Painting in 1924. After World War II, he established the Matsukyu Publishing Company to produce and distribute his own prints and other Shin Hanga and Sosaku Hanga pieces. Tomikichiro Tokuriki was an influential figure in Japan's contemporary print movement. He was the official artist of the Honganji Temple, and his work has been commissioned for various temples throughout Japan, including the famous shrines at Ise. His prints are in the permanent collections of the Museum Fine Arts Boston and the Museum of Modern Art New York. This print is in excellent condition. It has never been framed and always stored in a dark place.