Asano Takeji Meisho-zue

Takeji Asano (1900-1999) was a prominent figure in the realm of Japanese art. He completed his education at Kyoto City School of Fine Arts in 1919, followed by further studies at Kyoto City Specialist School of Painting in 1923. According to Dieter Wanczura, Artelino, Takeji Asano stands as one of the lesser-known yet exceptionally talented artists within the realm of Kyoto shin hanga and sosaku hanga. His art prints, still relatively under the radar, remain reasonably priced, offering art enthusiasts a captivating opportunity to collect exquisite woodblock prints without the burden of a hefty budget. After the war, Asano focused on creating woodblock prints and in 1952, he established his own printmaking studio called "Asano Takeji Mokuhanga Kobo". He was knowledgeable in woodblock printing techniques and particularly skilled in multiple color printing. His works are characterized by a unique sense of color and expression, and he produced portraits, landscapes, and still life paintings. Takeji Asano passed away in 1999 at the remarkable age of ninety-nine. According to Helen Merritt, Asano was actively involved in printmaking even during the 1970s and 1980s.