Collection
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Title
Visit
1938
Artist
Munakata Shikô
Japan
1903 - 1975
About
When he made this series of 31 Prints, Munakata was inspired by the centuries-old No play of the same title. The image depicts the wife of a hunter, who unbeknown to her, has been condemned to become a devil to atone for taking the life of fellow creatures. The wife is shown opening her door to a monk, the bearer of the message and relics from her husband, who can no longer return to her. Munakata has eloquently captured this fleeting moment in the wife's inquiring expression. Most of the woodblocks of this 1938 series were lost. This is one of the few to survive.
The Asian Collections, AGNSW, 2003, pg.283.
Details
Other Title
Night visit
Date
1938
Materials used
woodcut
Dimensions
25.4 x 28.0 cm image
Signature & date
Signed l.l., pencil "Shikô [in Japanese] Munakata [in English]" [and artist's mark]. Artist's seal l.c., ink [stamped]. Not dated.
Credit
Purchased 1968
Location
Not on display
Accession number
DO28.1968
Copyright
© MUNATAKA Shikô
URL / Share
Munakata Shikô
Visit
Place
Where the work was made
Japan
Shown in 1 exhibition
Exhibition history
Hanga: Japanese creative prints, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 28 Oct 2000–07 Jan 2001
Referenced in 2 publications
Bibliography
AJIOKA, Hanga: Japanese creative prints, '1930s-1950s: Consolidation of Hanga and the individualists', pg. 70-98, Sydney, 2000, 82 (colour illus.), 102, 109. cat.no. 4.7 In this publication this work is titled 'Night visit'.
Jackie Menzies (Editor), The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales, 'Individuality in early 20th century works on paper', Sydney, 2003, 283 (colour illus.).