Japanese Woodblock Botanical Print of Wild Roses by Tanigami Kōnon

Details

Description

Japanese WoodblWild Rose Grace: Japanese Woodblock Botanical Print by Tanigami Kōnon
Showa 14 (June 1939)

This exquisitely rendered woodblock print … Read more Japanese WoodblWild Rose Grace: Japanese Woodblock Botanical Print by Tanigami Kōnon
Showa 14 (June 1939)

This exquisitely rendered woodblock print is a masterful botanical study of Wild Roses (No-bara), characterized by its vibrant naturalism and balanced composition. The work belongs to a tradition of Kyoto botanical art that aimed to capture the "living spirit" of flora with scientific accuracy and artistic elegance.

The print depicts a sprawling, thorny branch laden with soft pink wild roses, their petals accented with deep red streaks and yellow-stippled centers. The use of varied green tones for the foliage and the delicate depiction of the rosebuds showcase the exceptional skill of the Kyoto block-cutters and printers of the era.

Technical Details:
Subject: Wild Rose (No-bara).
Artist Signature: Signed at the left with the calligraphy Kōnon (恒男) and the artist's red square seal.

Inscriptions: The right margin bears the date 昭和十四年六月の作 (Work of June, Showa 14/1939) and the publisher's copyright mark 版権所有 竹笹 (Copyright owned by Takezasa/Takenaka). The left margin identifies the flower as のばら (Wild Rose).

Measurements (Framed):
Width: 17 3/4 inches (45.1 cm)
Height: 22 inches (55.9 cm)
Depth: 3/4 inch (1.9 cm)

Historical Context: Tanigami Kōnon & Takenaka Mokuhan

Tanigami Kōnon (1858–1936) was a prominent Kyoto artist and a student of the legendary Bairei Kōno. He became one of the foremost specialists in Kachō-ga (bird and flower painting) and botanical illustration. His works, particularly the famous Seiyo Soka Zufu (Western Flower Albums), are celebrated for their sophisticated color palettes and delicate linework.

Takenaka Mokuhan, established in Kyoto in 1891, is one of the most prestigious woodblock printing studios in Japan. Known for their meticulous "Kyoto style" printing, they worked closely with artists to produce luxury prints that required dozens of individual woodblocks. The date of 1939 on this piece indicates it was part of a special collection or a high-end posthumous edition authorized by the studio to showcase Kōnon’s enduring designs for a late-interwar audience.

The print is housed in a handsome, dark green marbled frame with a gold-lined inner molding, a style that perfectly complements the rich greens and pinks of the botanical subject.

(Ref: VM98811) See less