Kawanabe Kyosai (Gyosai)

Ljin Jiyu (Foreign Children at Play, Children's Games)

Kawanabe Kyosai's original woodcut entitled, Ljin Jiyu (Foreign Children at Play, Children's Games) hails from one of his most popular series entitled, Kyosai Hyakuzu, 'Kyosai Hyaku-zu' (One Hundred Pictures by Kyosai). It is printed on nineteenth century Japanese mulberry paper and with full margins as published by Okura Magobei between 1881 - 1886. The Japanese word, 'ljin' means (foreigner, barbarian, different person) and the word, 'jiyu' means (free) or other words that have a similar meaning, such as free to do as you wish, to play etc., so, a loose translation for 'Ljin Jiyu', taking into consideration the age of the individuals in this Kyosai woodcut, could mean (Foreign Children at Play). Depicting children's games is uncommon in Japanese art and portrayals of foreign children are not often encountered. Kyosai depicts these children at play by a tree upon a series of swings. The entire composition is dominated by the movement of the swings, setting off complex rhythms and patterns and colours. Apart from Hokusai, only Kyosai could express such joy and inventiveness in his original art. Kawanabe Kyosai (Gyosai) original woodcut, Ljin Jiyu is a striking example of his Kyosai Hyakuzu series.

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Title:	Children's Games (Foreign Children at Play 'Ljin Jiyu')
Artist:	Kyosai, Kawanabe, 'Gyosai' (Japan, 1831 - 1889)
Date:	1862-1866 (Magobei edition)
Publisher:	Okura Magobei (Okuraya)
Medium:	Original Japanese Woodcut
Signature:	Signed Seisei Kyosai
Source:	One Hundred Pictures by Kyosai (Kyosai Hyakuzu)
Note:	Kawanabe Kyosai (Gyosai): During the 1840's and 1850's the famous warrior and legend woodcuts of Kuniyoshi began to play a new and vital role in the formation of Japanese art. For perhaps the first time, strong emotional and individualistic characteristics were seen. In the following Meiji era (1868 - 1912) it was left to Kuniyoshi's two most important students to carry on and develop these themes, eventually dominating the art of their era. Yoshitoshi, Tsukioka (Japan, 1839 - 1892) became the master of dramatic often violent images. By the time Yoshitoshi entered Kuniyoshi's workshop in 1850, Kawanabe Kyosai -- the most bizarre and eccentric of all Japanese artists -- had already left to foster a second career as a great Kano school painter. Kyosai's paintings, drawings and woodcuts were exhibited at the Vienna International Exposition in 1873 and at the Paris Exposition of 1883. Furthermore the British architect and artist, Josiah Conder (1852-1920), became a pupil of Kyosai (also spelt, Gyosai) in the 1880's and in 1911 published his important book, "Paintings and Studies by Kawanabe Kyosai".
	As early as 1852, Kyosai (Gyosai) became notorious for both his art and his rather dissolute lifestyle, particularly his abiding love for sake. Famous both as a great painter and printmaker, most of Kyosai's woodcuts were published in smaller sized albums. Albums of note include, such works as the Kyosai Gadan (Kyosai's Treatise on Painting), woodcuts in the traditional Japanese and Chinese paintings styles, four volumes published in two parts by Iwamoto Shun (1887), Ehon Taka Kagami (Picture Book Mirror of Hawks), published by Nakamura Sasuke in five volumes in yellow wrappers (1875), Kyosai Gafu Shohen (Kyosai's Picture-Album) published in one volume by Kinkado (1880), Kyosai Donga Shohen (Sketches by Kyosai) published by Inada Genkichi (1881), Kyosai Manga Shohen (Kyosai's Rambling Drawings), published by Makino Kichibei (1881), and one of his most popular series entitled, Kyosai Hyakuzu, also spelt, 'Kyosai Hyaku-zu' (One Hundred Pictures by Kyosai), (1862-1866), which dealt with Japanese folklore, legends and proverbs ('kotowaza). Ljin Jiyu (Foreign Children at Play) is a fine original example of Kyosai's art.
	One Hundred Pictures by Kyosai (Kyosai Hyakuzu): The original woodcuts from the set of "100 Pictures by Kyosai" were first published by Wakasaya Yoichi (aka Jakurindo Yoichi) between (1862-1866), and issued as single-sheet prints in packages of ten. The complete series was later re-published in album form by Okura Magobei (Okuraya), (1881 - 1886). As Ljin Jiyu (Foreign Children at Play, Children's Games), was originally bound in an album, it most likely hails from the Okura Magobei edition. Influenced somewhat by the Shijo style, it is in these small and wonderful works that Kyosai's unique talents come to the fore. Most of the images in the Kyosai Hyaku-zu draw upon Japanese mythology, folklore and proverbs (in Japanese 'proverb' means 'kotowaza'). Many of the woodcuts from this series depict unexplained manifestations and beastly creatures while others seem to represent the pastimes and foibles of villagers and peasants. Sometimes, Kyosai combines all of these elements into a single woodcut. In total, the Kyosai Hyakuzu contained over two hundred original woodcuts, all emphasizing strange, sinister or humorous aspects of life. Children's Games (Foreign Children at Play 'Ljin Jiyu') is a fine original example of the Mythological art created by the Japanese artist, Kawanabe Kyosai.
	Ljin Jiyu: This original Kawanabe Kyosai (Gyosai), woodcut entitled, Ljin Jiyu depicts foreign children at play. The Japanese word, 'ljin' means (foreigner, barbarian, different person) and the word, 'jiyu' means (free) and other words with a similar meaning, such as free to do as you wish, to play etc., so, a loose translation for 'Ljin Jiyu', taking into consideration the age of the individuals in this Kyosai woodcut, means (Foreign Children at Play). Depicting children's games is uncommon in Japanese art and portrayals of foreign children are not often encountered. Kyosai depicts these children at play by a tree upon a series of swings. The entire composition is dominated by the movement of the swings, setting off complex rhythms and patterns and colours. Apart from Hokusai, only Kyosai could express such joy and inventiveness in his original art. The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston contains an impression of this original Kyosai woodcut in their permanent collection, Access Number: 11,36993.
Size:	6 3/4 X 4 1/2 Koban (Sizes in inches are approximate, height preceding width of plate-mark or image.)
	Framed and Matted with 100% Archival Materials
	View larger Framed Image

Buy Now	Price: $325.00 US
Condition:	Printed on nineteenth century Japanese mulberry (rice) paper and with full margins as published by Okura Magobei between 1881 - 1886 in the Kyosai Hyakuzu (One Hundred Pictures by Kyosai). A finely printed impression and in excellent condition throughout. Altogether a splendid example of the famous art of Kawanabe Kyosai (Gyosai).
Subject:	Kawanabe Kyosai, Gyosai, Ljin Jiyu (Foreign Children at Play, Children's Games), Okura Magobei in the Kyosai Hyakuzu, 'Kyosai Hyaku-zu' (One Hundred Pictures by Kyosai), original woodcut.
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Kawanabe Kyosai 'Gyosai' (1831 - 1889)
#	Image	Title and Artist	Medium	Date	Subject	Notes	-
01.-		A Gathering of Demons (Haykki Yagyo, 'Night Parade of 100 Demons') by Kawanabe Kyosai 'Gyosai'	Original Japanese Woodcut	1865	Yokai, Oni (Demons Ogres & Goblins)	Published by Daikoku-Ya Kinnosuke	Sold
02.-		A Hero Battling a Dragon (Yokai, Japanese Serpents, Mizuchi or Ryu) by Kawanabe Kyosai 'Gyosai'	Original Japanese Woodcut	c. 1881 - 1886	Yokai, Mizuchi, & Ryu (Serpents, Animal Spirits & Demons)	Published by Okura Magobei (Okuraya) for the Kyosai Hyakuzu (One Hundred Pictures by Kyosai)	Sold
03.-		Jigoku no Kyujitsu (Holiday in Hell), Legends of Yokai, Oni and other Spirits by Kawanabe Kyosai 'Gyosai'	Original Japanese Woodcut	c. 1881 - 1886	Yokai, Oni (Apparitions, Demons Ogres & Goblins)	Published by Okura Magobei (Okuraya) for the Kyosai Hyakuzu (One Hundred Pictures by Kyosai)	Sold
04.-		Jigoku de Hotoke, A Buddha in Hell (Japanese Proverbs & Folklore, Yokai, Oni, & other Supernatural Beings) by Kawanabe Kyosai 'Gyosai'	Original Japanese Woodcut	c. 1881 - 1886	Yokai, Oni (Demons Ogres & Goblins)	Published by Okura Magobei (Okuraya) for the Kyosai Hyakuzu (One Hundred Pictures by Kyosai)
05.-		Kaeru no ko wa kaeru to naru (The Child of a Frog Becomes a Frog), Kaeru no tsura e mizu (Water on a Frog's Skin), Japanese Legends, Proverbs and Folklore by Kawanabe Kyosai 'Gyosai'	Original Japanese Woodcut	c. 1881 - 1886	Kaeru (Frogs and Toads, Lucky amulets and Good Omens)	Published by Okura Magobei (Okuraya) for the Kyosai Hyakuzu (One Hundred Pictures by Kyosai)
06.-		Ljin Jiyu (Foreign Children at Play, Children's Games) by Kawanabe Kyosai 'Gyosai'	Original Japanese Woodcut	c. 1881 - 1886	Ljin Jiyu (Foreign Children in Japan)	Published by Okura Magobei (Okuraya) for the Kyosai Hyakuzu (One Hundred Pictures by Kyosai)
07.-		Master Artists at Work, Japanese Legends of Oni (Demons Ogres & Goblins) by Kawanabe Kyosai 'Gyosai'	Original Japanese Woodcut	c. 1881 - 1886	Yokai, Oni (Demons Ogres & Goblins)	Published by Okura Magobei (Okuraya) for the Kyosai Hyakuzu (One Hundred Pictures by Kyosai)
08.-		Nagai mono ni wa makarero (Resistance is futile - Japanese Mythology & Proverbs) by Kawanabe Kyosai 'Gyosai'	Original Japanese Woodcut	c. 1881 - 1886	Yokai, (Apparitions, Animal Spirits & Demons)	Published by Okura Magobei (Okuraya) for the Kyosai Hyakuzu (One Hundred Pictures by Kyosai)	Sold
09.-		Oni no inu ma ni sentaku (Doing the Laundry While the Demon is Away - Japanese Folklore & Proverbs) by Kawanabe Kyosai 'Gyosai'	Original Japanese Woodcut	c. 1881 - 1886	Yokai, Oni (Demons Ogres & Goblins)	Published by Okura Magobei (Okuraya) for the Kyosai Hyakuzu (One Hundred Pictures by Kyosai)	Sold
10.-		Sado No Kuni Doza Tanuki (The Raccoon-Dog Doza (Danzaburo Danuki) of Sado Island (Japanese Mythology, Yokai & Supernatural Creatures) by Kawanabe Kyosai 'Gyosai'	Original Japanese Woodcut	c. 1881 - 1886	Yokai, Tanuki (The Raccoon-Dog, Animal Spirits & Demons)	Published by Okura Magobei (Okuraya) for the Kyosai Hyakuzu (One Hundred Pictures by Kyosai)
11.-		Setsubun, Mame-maki, Oni wa Soto; Fuku wa Uchi (Bean-Throwing Spring Festival, Get Out Demons; Come in Good Fortune) by Kawanabe Kyosai 'Gyosai'	Original Japanese Woodcut	c. 1881 - 1886	Yokai, Oni, Setsubun (Festivals, Demons Ogres & Goblins)	Published by Okura Magobei (Okuraya) for the Kyosai Hyakuzu (One Hundred Pictures by Kyosai)
12.-		Tengu, Mischievous & Supernatural Crow like, Humanoid Yokai (Japanese Mythology, & Proverbs) by Kawanabe Kyosai 'Gyosai'	Original Japanese Woodcut	c. 1881 - 1886	Yokai, Tengu (Crows, Animal Spirits & Demons)	Published by Okura Magobei (Okuraya) for the Kyosai Hyakuzu (One Hundred Pictures by Kyosai)
13.-		The Spectral Cat (Japanese Folklore, Yokai, Bakeneko) by Kawanabe Kyosai 'Gyosai'	Original Japanese Woodcut	c. 1881 - 1886	Yokai, Bakeneko (Cats, Animal Spirits & Demons)	Published by Okura Magobei (Okuraya) for the Kyosai Hyakuzu (One Hundred Pictures by Kyosai)	Sold
14.-		The Style of Painting of Kano Koi by Kawanabe Kyosai 'Gyosai'	Original Japanese Woodcut	1887	The Style of Painting of Kano Koi depicts the effects of joy and laughter	Published by Iwamoto Shun for the Kyosai Gadan (Kyosai's Account of Painting)
15.-		Watonai, Hariko no Meijin (Watonai, as Master of Paper Mache) & (Daruma Dolls Terrifying their Makers) by Kawanabe Kyosai 'Gyosai'	Original Japanese Woodcut	c. 1881 - 1886	Yokaii (Watonai & Daruma Dolls)	Published by Okura Magobei (Okuraya) for the Kyosai Hyakuzu (One Hundred Pictures by Kyosai)

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