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Serizawa 1961 Calendar 12 Katazome Prints Keisuke Japan National Living Treasure
An original Serizawa work of art made using the difficult Japanese process of Katazome or paste resist dye technique on hand made Washi paper. There are 12 separate prints each measuring a large 15 inches high by 11.5 inches wide that comes with its original Mulberry Washi paper presentation sleeve.
Serizawa is a world-renowned famous designer, illustrator, stencil artist, and painter. Each month has an original work of art depicting beautiful Japanese seasonal activities, people, children and their daily lifestyles through the eyes of possibly Japan's most famous Mingei artist. Mingei largely means folk art---the arts and crafts made by the people for their daily use. Serizawa was part of a small group of artists and scholars who were concerned about the loss of the traditional arts and helped to start an art appreciation movement called the Mingei Movement along with other famous artists such as Shoji Hamada and Bernard Leach. These artists wanted to ensure the Japanese traditional arts would not expire and that artisans and craftsmen could be able to pass their crafts on to the next generation.
His distinct art style known as "Katazome" had acquired worldwide attention in the early 1930's. His "Mingei" (folk art) work using a hand-stenciled dyeing technique was derived from the Ryukyu Bingata method of stencil dyeing. He learned the technique when he visited Okinawa several times and studied this Bingata technique under Katatsue-ya in Naha and applied the technique into many of his own unique art works such as book covers, magazine illustrations, Kimono, scrolls, screens, curtains, calendars and greeting cards like this particular piece. The Japanese government designated him as a "NationalLivingTreasure" in 1956 acknowledging his effort for the preservation of Japanese traditional arts as well as his prolific work.
The condition of this set is excellent having been safely stored for these many years. The age of this set is from 1960 (for use in the year 1961) and needless to say, it is a rare set indeed.
