Yoshida Hiroshi (1876-1950)

In Fuji from Gotenba the powerful image of the snow-capped volcano thrusting above swirls of clouds is condensed to a 19 by 25-cm rectangle within the larger ivory-paper sheet. In the lower left are two embossed seals: the top one the cursive monogram of the artist and the lower the outline of a bamboo baren used to print Japanese woodcuts. The inclusion of the seal has been interpreted to indicate Yoshida's hand in the printing, perhaps to the extent of carving the dramatic curls of clouds directly into the block as if painting with a brush. Kajiyashiki, in worn condition, has the same format, date and blind-stamps.