When it comes to Japanese printmaking, few names carry the artistic weight and global influence of the Yoshida family. The recent spotlight on the family’s work through Dulwich Picture Gallery’s exhibition, Yoshida: Three Generations of Japanese Printmaking, has reignited an appreciation for their artistry. This blog explores the family’s fascinating history, their innovative artistic view, and the lasting legacy they have carved into the world of Japanese woodblock printing.
The Pioneer: Hiroshi Yoshida 吉田博
The story begins during the Taisho era (1912–1926), a time when traditional ukiyo-e 浮世絵 woodblock printing was being overshadowed by new printing technologies. Amid this decline, Hiroshi Yoshida emerged as a revolutionary figure in the shin-hanga 新版画 movement. This artistic revival sought to marry Western influences with traditional Japanese aesthetics, leaded by the publisher Watanabe Shozaburo 渡辺庄三郎.
Hiroshi initially collaborated with Watanabe, producing seven prints before parting ways after the devastating 1923 Great Kanto earthquake, which destroyed Watanabe’s publishing studio. Determined to forge his path, Hiroshi established his own workshop in Tokyo in 1925. Unlike many artists of his time, he closely supervised every step of the printmaking process, ensuring maximum quality. His jizuri 自摺 seal—meaning "self-printed"—became a mark of excellence, signifying his direct involvement in the creation of a print.
But Hiroshi Yoshida was more than just a printmaker. As a trained painter who studied both yōga (Western-style painting) and nihonga (Japanese-style painting), he had a unique talent for making his woodblock prints appear like watercolour paintings. His ability to capture the play of light and water, the flow of rivers, and reflections on still surfaces remains unmatched. Hiroshi also travelled extensively, creating prints inspired by landscapes from the United States to Egypt, portraying famous landmarks and sights with a distinctively Japanese touch.
The Second Generation: Toshi and Hodaka Yoshida
Hiroshi’s passion for art was inherited by his two sons, Toshi and Hodaka, who carried forward the family’s artistic tradition in distinctive ways.
Toshi Yoshida, the elder son, was a child prodigy whose illness kept him from attending school, allowing him to spend formative years in his father’s studio. Early in his career, Toshi’s style mirrored Hiroshi’s realism, producing breathtaking landscapes that celebrated nature. However, after Hiroshi’s passing in 1950, Toshi began to experiment with abstract art, incorporating elements of expressionism and pop. This exploration marked a bold departure from the family’s established aesthetic.
In his later years, Toshi returned to the family’s roots, focusing once again on landscapes and producing a series of animal and bird prints that remain highly sought after. Beyond printmaking, Toshi was also a children’s book illustrator, writing and illustrating the beloved Animal Picture Book series, showcasing his artistic versatility.
Hodaka Yoshida, on the other hand, ventured even further into abstraction, blending modern art movements with traditional Japanese techniques. His works reflect a deep engagement with form, texture, and symbolism, setting him apart as an innovator in contemporary printmaking.
The Third Generation: Tsukasa Yoshida and the Continuing Legacy
The Yoshida family’s legacy lives on through Tsukasa Yoshida, the son of Toshi Yoshida and the current director of the Yoshida Hanga Academy.
Tsukasa has embraced the family tradition, creating vibrant woodblock prints that honour the landscapes and animals cherished by previous generations. His work embodies the essence of the Yoshida lineage, combining traditional techniques with modern sensibilities.
Seals of Distinction: The Marks of Quality
For collectors and enthusiasts, the seals on a Yoshida print are more than mere signatures—they are markers of authenticity and quality:
- Jizuri Seal 自摺: A symbol of Hiroshi Yoshida’s direct involvement in the printing process, indicating a superior-quality impression. Often found in the upper left margin, this seal adds significant value to a print.
- Toku ‘special’ Seal 特: A rare mark, used for high-quality prints given as gifts or tokens of appreciation, akin to Watanabe’s “gift” seal.
- Commemorative Seal 画集記念後摺: Introduced by Toshi Yoshida in 1985, this seal celebrates Hiroshi’s legacy through limited-edition reprints from original blocks.
Trial Print Seal 試摺: Indicative of a print that was either in its trial stages or served as an 'Artist Proof' (A/P). They were created to refine composition before finalising the production. Shizuri prints are rare due to their experimental nature.
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- Pencil Signature: Often in English, the pencil signature was personally added by the artist, especially for works intended for international collectors.
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Printed and Posthumous Signatures: Printed signatures, including embossed stamps, indicate either large production runs or posthumous prints made from original blocks.
Reflections on the Yoshida Tradition
The Yoshida family’s art bridges traditional Japanese techniques with global perspectives. Their works are not just visually stunning but also carry historical and cultural significance, offering a window into Japan’s evolving artistic identity over the 20th century. From Hiroshi’s serene water reflections to Toshi’s bold abstractions and Tsukasa’s vibrant landscapes, the Yoshida legacy is a testament to the enduring power of Japanese printmaking. Their work reminds us that even as techniques evolve, the virtue of art is its ability to capture and convey the beauty of the world around us.
As a testament to the growing influences of Japanese art globally, Japanese Gallery Kensington has collaborated with esteemed institutions, including the Japanese Embassy to exhibit the Yoshida family’s works: Yoshida – Seasons through the Eyes of a Family, ShinHanga: The New Wave of Japanese Prints.
