Japanese Woodblock Print, 1952, 1st Edition/1st State, true 1st Edition, from the series Five Figures of Modern Beauties.

SIZE IN INCHES: dia-oban, 11.5 x 18 inches

COMMENTS: First state prints from Five Figures of Modern Beauties had both red seals seen in the bottom left margin (Approved by Tatsumi) and right margin (Examined by Gihachi). The Gihachi (Okuyama Gihachiro) seal was not used when the publisher (the horizontal seal in the bottom margin) dissolved in 1954 and Okuyama family moved to Matsudo. Note that red seals were rather haphazardly applied and printed in different areas of margins. First state prints were not numbered, neither on the print, nor on the print's folder. This print also bears the seals of the original printer/carver team (Yashita Tadashichi/Inomura Maanosuke)

TATSUMI SHIMURA (1907-1980) is known for designing a number striking bijin-ga prints in the mid-20th century. Born in Takasaki, Gunma, Shimura's real name was Sentaro. In 1921, he began studying art with Yamakawa Saiho, a well-known llustrator. Three years later, he became an apprentice of Saiho's son, Yamakawa Shuho, who was also a bijin-ga artist and print designer. Shimura exhibited paintings with Kyodotai in 1927 and with Seikinkai in 1938. He became known for his paintings of beautiful women with long eyelashes and blurred pupils. As a young man, Shimura also worked as an illustrator for newspapers, serialized novels, and magazines, notably for the Japanese magazine "Woman's world" (Fujokai). His most famous illustrations were for the novel Tange Sazen by Hayashi Fubo.

From 1948 to 1952, Shimura designed several woodblock prints of beauties that were published by Kato Junji. Later he collaborated with the Japanese Institute of Prints to create a series called "Five Figures of Modern Beauties". These prints were published in 1952. They depict Japanese women in traditionally feminine poses and attire. The finely detailed figures are juxtaposed against very simple backgrounds. Late Summer cleverly alludes to Hokusai's famous ukiyo-e print Red Fuji pictured on the woman's fan. After a solo exhibition on his 60th birthday in 1967, Shimura devoted his career entirely to Nihonga, or Japanese style painting.

VG with flaws as shown