Collection: Sosaku Hanga Japanese landscape prints catalogue

Sotheran's are delighted to bring you this exhibition of Japanese prints which will be available to view at 18 Upper Brook Street from Friday 27th September - Friday 18th October 2024.

The Sosaku-hanga or ‘Creative Prints’ art movement emerged in early 20th-century Japan as a departure from traditional woodblock printing. Unlike earlier collaborative processes, where artists, carvers, and printers worked separately, Sosaku-hanga emphasised the artist's complete control over every stage of production—designing, carving, and printing.

This shift allowed Sosaku-hanga artists to fully express themselves in a way that was not previously seen in the medium of woodblock printing. Inspired by the 20th century revolutions in western art, the Sosaku-hanga movement brought modern compositions and bold linework to the world of Japanese art, fusing East and West to create a unique and instantly recognisable visual style.

Notable ‘creative’ artists such as Junichiro Sekino and Shiro Kasamatsu have gained worldwide recognition during their lifetime, their impact changing the landscape of print-making forever.