Item Description Uemura Shoen 上村松園 (1875-1949) - "Kajin Yujo" (Beauties with Grace) - Complete Set of 20 Prints This is a complete set of 20 woodblock prints from the prestigious series "Kajin Yujo" (Beauties with Grace) by Uemura Shoen, published by Nihon Keizai Shimbun (The Nikkei). This collection comes with the original certificate of issuance, confirming its authenticity and provenance. Uemura Shoen was Japan's first female artist to be designated as a Living National Treasure and is renowned for her exquisite depictions of bijin-ga (paintings of beautiful women). This series showcases her masterful ability to capture the elegance, refinement, and inner beauty of Japanese women across different historical periods and social classes. Each print in this collection demonstrates Shoen's distinctive style - delicate lines, subtle color harmonies, and an profound understanding of traditional Japanese aesthetics combined with a modern sensibility. The works reflect her lifelong dedication to portraying women with dignity and grace, moving beyond the superficial beauty often seen in traditional bijin-ga. Published by Nihon Keizai Shimbun, this is a high-quality reproduction series that faithfully captures the beauty and technical excellence of Shoen's original works. The complete set of 20 prints represents a comprehensive collection of her bijin-ga masterpieces, making it an excellent opportunity for collectors and admirers of Japanese art. The inclusion of the certificate of issuance adds significant value to this collection, providing documentation of its official publication status. Size Height: 50 cm Width: 38 cm (per print) Condition The set appears to be in good condition with the original certificate of issuance included. Individual prints show minimal signs of handling consistent with careful storage. Artist Profile Uemura Shoen (1875-1949) was one of Japan's most important female artists and the first woman to receive the Order of Culture in 1948, the highest honor for artistic achievement in Japan. Born in Kyoto, she began studying painting at a young age and developed her skills under several masters of the Kyoto painting tradition. Shoen specialized in bijin-ga (paintings of beautiful women), but distinguished herself by portraying women with psychological depth and dignity rather than as mere objects of beauty. Her subjects ranged from historical figures to contemporary women, always depicted with grace and refinement. Throughout her career spanning over six decades, Shoen faced significant challenges as a female artist in a male-dominated art world, yet she achieved remarkable success and recognition. She exhibited regularly at the prestigious Bunten (Japan Art Academy Exhibition) and received numerous awards. Her works are characterized by elegant lines, sophisticated color palettes, and meticulous attention to the details of kimono patterns and hairstyles. Shoen's paintings successfully bridged traditional Japanese painting techniques (nihonga) with modern artistic sensibilities. Today, her works are held in major museums throughout Japan, including the Tokyo National Museum, Kyoto National Museum of Modern Art, and the Shohaku Art Museum, which is dedicated to preserving her legacy. Her influence on modern Japanese painting, particularly in the representation of women, remains profound and lasting. NOITICE: The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation. It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping. I appreciate your cooperation.