Hanging Hair
髪梳き
by Ito Shinsui
- Date:
- 1929
- Medium:
- Color woodblock print
- Publisher:
- Watanabe Shozaburo
Typical Price
Shinsui's depiction of cascading black hair is considered among the finest in all of shin-hanga. Pre-earthquake first editions have reached $8,000-$18,000 at auction. Post-earthquake recuts still bring $3,000-$7,000, a testament to the design's enduring power. This print exemplifies why Shinsui was named a Living National Treasure in 1952.
Description
A woman combs out her long, glossy black hair, which cascades down her back in a lustrous curtain. The print celebrates the beauty of traditional Japanese women''s hair, which was considered one of the most important elements of feminine allure. Shinsui renders each strand with meticulous care, creating a surface that seems to gleam with natural oils.
