{"product_id":"kiyoshi-saito-horyuji-temple-late-autumn-japanese-sosaku-hanga-woodblock-print-mid-20th-century","title":"Kiyoshi Saito “Horyuji Temple (Late Autumn)” Japanese Sosaku-Hanga Woodblock Print, Mid-20th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKiyoshi Saito “Horyuji Temple (Late Autumn)” Japanese Sosaku-Hanga Woodblock Print, Mid-20th Century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA striking and highly collectible Japanese woodblock print by celebrated artist Kiyoshi Saito (1907–1997), titled \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHoryuji Temple (Late Autumn)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This evocative composition captures the timeless serenity of the ancient Horyu-ji Temple, rendered through Saito’s signature interplay of bold geometry, rich texture, and subtle tonal contrasts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe scene is anchored by the architectural silhouette of the temple gate, juxtaposed with traditional village rooftops and a persimmon tree in autumnal bloom—its vivid red accents punctuating the otherwise restrained palette. This balance between abstraction and landscape is characteristic of Saito’s mature style, where form and negative space achieve a quiet, contemplative harmony.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExecuted in the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSōsaku-hanga (Creative Print)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e tradition, this work was entirely conceived, carved, and printed by the artist himself—an approach that distinguishes Saito from earlier collaborative ukiyo-e practices. His prints are celebrated for their tactile surface quality, achieved through expressive woodgrain and layered pigment application.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Circa 1950s–1960s (mid-century period; this composition is widely attributed to Saito’s mature postwar phase when his temple subjects became iconic)  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMedium:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Color woodblock print on paper\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e17 x 11 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e43.2 x 27.9 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVery good overall condition, with strong color and impression. Minor creasing confined to the margins, not affecting the image—consistent with age and handling.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout the Artist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKiyoshi Saito is widely regarded as one of the most important Japanese printmakers of the 20th century. A leading figure of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSosaku hanga movement\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, he revolutionized traditional woodblock printing by insisting that the artist control every stage of production—designing, carving, and printing the work independently.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHis work gained international recognition after winning a major prize at the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSão Paulo Biennale in 1951\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, marking a turning point for modern Japanese printmaking on the global stage.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSaito’s mature style is defined by:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSimplified, almost abstract compositions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEmphasis on texture and woodgrain\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSubtle, earthy color palettes with bold accents\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrequent depictions of temples, rural Japan, and architectural forms  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToday, his works are held in major museum collections worldwide.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout Traditional Japanese Woodblock Printing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTraditional Japanese woodblock printing, or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehanga\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, is a centuries-old technique in which an image is carved into wooden blocks, inked, and pressed onto paper.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn earlier periods (like ukiyo-e), the process involved multiple specialists:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesigner\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCarver\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrinter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublisher\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHowever, the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSōsaku-hanga movement\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (early–mid 20th century) transformed this model. Artists like Saito embraced a fully independent process, emphasizing \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003epersonal expression over mass production\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis shift resulted in:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMore experimental compositions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVisible carving marks and texture\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSmaller editions and greater artistic individuality\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSummary for Buyers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis print is an excellent example of Saito’s iconic temple imagery—combining modernist abstraction with deep reverence for traditional Japanese architecture. Works depicting \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHoryu-ji\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, one of Japan’s oldest and most important Buddhist temples, are especially desirable among collectors of postwar Japanese prints.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe print will be shipped insured overseas. Cost of insured transport to the US, Euro 115.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eColors may slightly vary due to photographic lighting sources or your monitor settings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWear consistent with age and use.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe are a 1stDibs platinum dealer.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kiyoshi Saito","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53390410252631,"sku":null,"price":1150.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0496\/5230\/1983\/files\/DSC_6958.jpg?v=1777013890","url":"https:\/\/vintageobjects.com\/products\/kiyoshi-saito-horyuji-temple-late-autumn-japanese-sosaku-hanga-woodblock-print-mid-20th-century","provider":"Vintage Objects","version":"1.0","type":"link"}