Taizo Minagawa(皆川泰蔵) Woodblock Print "Daimonji" The single character "大" (Dai) stands out against the pitch-black mountain range. It is a symbol of the Gozan no Okuribi (Fires on Mountains), which announces and ends the summer in Kyoto, and is also a spiritual ritual rooted in the thousand-year-old capital. Taizo Minagawa's work, "Daimonji," is a masterpiece that depicts that symbolic night with a modern yet deep spirituality. Taizo Minagawa (1917–2005) is an artist who established a unique aesthetic sense in the postwar Japanese craft and design world, and was active in a wide range of fields, including dyeing and weaving, ceramics, and printmaking. He had experience working at the Manufacture de Sèvres in France, and is known for his style that combines the spirit of the Mingei movement with modernism. His works, which excel in abstract expression of color and shape, are still highly popular with collectors both in Japan and abroad. In "Daimonji," Minagawa uses bold composition and colors to combine the atmosphere of the ancient city of Kyoto with a modern sensibility. The row of houses in the foreground is painted in shades of indigo, while the ridge of Mt. Hiei rises in the background, and the crimson character "Dai" burns on its peak - the contrast between these two makes you feel the passage of time and the heat of people's prayers at the same time. The Gozan no Okuribi is a traditional Kyoto event that has been passed down for many years as a Bon festival bonfire to send spirits to the afterlife. Among them, the "Daimonji bonfire" is the most famous, and its red form floating in the night sky leaves a strong impression on the viewer's mind. By capturing this solemn moment not through realism but through abstraction and composition, Minagawa has sublimated it into a work that directly appeals to the deepest emotions. The overall screen is simple, but the colors and shapes are meticulously designed, and silence and tension coexist. In the silence, the burning single character flame appears, reminding the viewer of the "preciousness of the present moment." This piece, "Daimonji," combines a sophisticated design that stands out in modern spaces with the prayers of the millennial capital. It is a piece that will add a tranquil presence to any interior, whether Japanese or Western. Taizo Minagawa (1917-2005) is a highly acclaimed and award-winning Japanese dyer and printmaker. His main awards include the following: History and academic background: Born in Kyoto in 1917 Graduated from Kyoto Municipal School of Arts and Crafts, and later Kyoto Municipal Painting School (now Kyoto City University of Arts) Served as a lecturer at Bunka Gakuin and a professor at Kyoto City University of Arts 1941: First selected for Bunten (sponsored by the Ministry of Education) 1949: Special Selection at Nitten Exhibition 1960: Received the Kikka-sho (Chrysanthemum Award) at Nitten Exhibition for "Kyoto" 1984: Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Award, Lifetime Achievement Award 1989: Kyoto City Cultural Merit Award 1993: Received the Fourth Class Order of the Sacred Treasure (Cultural Merit Award) 1997: Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Award, Special Achievement Award [Size] Overall size 34.8cm×47.2cm picture 27.5cm×34.5cm [Condition] It is in good condition. As it is an older piece, signs of aging are visible. Please check the photos for details. Any taxes related to international shipping must be borne by the purchaser. Occasionally, customs or the delivery company in your country may contact you for customs clearance via phone or email. Kindly ensure you are available to respond. Failure to do so may result in the parcel being returned to me, incurring additional shipping fees for reshipment. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. I will pack the item securely, but there may be cases where the item is repackaged at customs or damaged upon arrival due to a mistake by the shipping company. If this happens, please contact me immediately. Please promptly send me a photo of the item when it arrives and a photo of the damage to the item. We will provide refunds depending on the situation.