[ADVERTISING KAWARA-BAN [BROADSIDE] FOR A DOLL MAKER & WOOD CARVER. Illustrating by SAKATA, Jiro

Wakayama ca.1827].Large Kawara Ban woodblock print, black & white, sheet size: ca. 49 x 35 cm., print: ca. 43 x 32 cm., very clean, impression varies from dark black to grey,period re-backed, now solid & firm. * OBSCURE EXAMPLE * . *** **** *** . . JAPANESE DOLL MAKER & WOOD CARVER'S ADVERTISEMENT . . . HE WILL GO TO & MOVE HIS SHOP TO OSAKA . * This woodblock print is printed in black outline. It has 15 individual sections in 'boxes,' each shows different scenes & artifacts from Japanese themes or manners, customs, or illustrated examples from famous novel or historical events. . It includes horses, birds, a fox & other animals, people: children, women, men, entertainers, musicians, children, Dutchmen et al. . These are samples of the kinds of things he can carve from wood and sell to his customers by special order. . The artist who drew the artwork was named TSUNARI Tei Toyoteru. . *** The print is a 'double-Oban' size, folds down to be ca.24.5 x 35.5 cm. . See our website, for illus05.jpg which shows the artist's "trademark." . *** Color photos are posted to our website. . *** CONDITION: . The print remains fresh, as it was preserved in a book with other Kawara-Ban of the 1827 period. It is remarkably and nicely preserved. Such cheaply produced ephemeral item were not expected to last more than several days in open weather like wind, rain, snow and high humidity. . The impression varies, obviously created quickly, cheaply to stick on walls, posts and other public places to advertise his plan to move his shop to Osaka. . The impression density varies, and is not even or the same darkness throughout. There are very dark & lighter printed areas. We suppose this was carved by Sakata to inform customers and the neighborhood of his plan to move. . The contemporary re-backing restored a few minor small worm holes, now solid and firm. . Mr. Sakata was not a lavish spender, this prints reflects this trait. . *** A RARE EXAMPLE: . This kind of early advertising art is unusual in Japan, few survived, most being tacked to walls and public places. This is an unusual example even though it’s less than perfect printing technique. Seldom found. . * .