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TANAKA RYOHEI, in my opinion, is Japan’s greatest living master of the etching process. Unfortunately he is in frail health and is no longer making prints. I will be offering most of my Tanaka Ryohei print collection here on , with a select few to be offered with Azuma Gallery in Seattle.
DAIMAI-JI (Momiji? The Maple - 2007) is one of Tanaka-san’s more popular images and may refer to a special gate on temple grounds—I have not been able to reference the location, but the mountain backdrop does suggest the Tofukuji temple complex in Kyoto. The grounds of Tofukuji seemed to be a frequent source of inspiration for Tanaka-san’s color prints, and some Japanese maple trees there turn orange in the Fall, different from the red shades of maples typically seen at other Kyoto temples. The riotous colors of DAIMAIJI evoke a celebratory mood as the Autumn season envelops this temple gate, far from somber settings seen elsewhere.
This large print is #726 in the Tanaka Ryohei catalog. The print image measures 10.5” x 13.5” and with the full paper margins it measures 14.5” x 17.5”. This print has never been matted or framed. Photos here may show what appear to be ripples but this is only a lighting effect and there are no actual ripples in the print. The print edition of DAMAIJI sold out in 2007 and it is rarely offered for purchase.
