Rakusan Tsuchiya, pair of woodblocks, 100 series

This stunning pair of woodblock prints was made by Japanese artist Rakusan Tsuchiya in the 1930s. They comprise design 31, Great Tits amongst Flowers, and design 57, Varied Tit on Red Hibiscus.

In the first picture, a flock of great tits squabble and frolic amidst flowers, probably wisteria or bush clover. This was one of Rakusan’s most challenging designs to print, and after a first edition of no more than 200 copies, he never reprinted it.

The second shows the bird with its prey: Rakusan was a keen naturalist, and the insect can be identified as a narrow-winged mantis, known in Japanese as kamakiri.

Both are first editions from Rakusan’s 100 series, bearing the artist’s signature and seal (three-character signature, seal A). Framed and glazed.

Each frame: 65cm wide, 51cm high

Each picture: 47cm wide, 31cm high

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