Title: Ginza Synchromy. Ed.1/100.
Artist: Clifton Karhu (1927-2007).
Signed & Dated: Titled, editioned, & signed in pencil to plate. 1979.
Medium: Woodblock Print.
Image Size: Approx: W: 53.00cm x H: 39.50cm. (Paper Size: W: 60.50cm x H: 44.50cm).
Condition: A magnificent piece - lovely intensity of colour. Browning to paper, more notable verso. Please refer to photos. Contact for any further questions/photos/& condition report.
Notes: A truly fabulous time-capsule of an image capturing Ginza - Tokyo’s illustrious high-end dining, shopping, and entertainment district - in all its vibrancy during the late 1970’s. I loved researching this one - hunting down Ginza’s past & deciphering Karhu’s woven quiltwork of the district’s most iconic landmarks:
Wako/Hattori Clock Tower: The iconic symbol of Ginza (central to image). https://www.ginza.jp/en/landmark/12504
Ginza Mitsukoshi: The prestigious Mitsukoshi department store in central Ginza; celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2020, it remains the oldest surviving chain in Japan (logo/seal to image). https://cp.mistore.jp/global/en/ginza.html
“Ginza Globe” 銀座の地球儀 /Morinaga & Co globe: Advertising Morinaga’s chocolate/milk caramel confectionery, this iconic symbol of Japan’s postwar reconstruction stood atop the Ginza Nachi-Fujikoshi Building before it was dismantled in 1983. https://www.morinaga.co.jp/company/english/about/chronicle.html
Omega: The Omega brand logo - A boutique Omega watch store in Ginza?
San-Ai Building: Built in 1932, the cylindrical San-Ai building/San-Ai Dream Center sits on the corner of Ginza Crossing. Featuring the Mitsubishi logo (upper left of image: corner diamond) at the time, today the San-Ai building carries RICOH as its most recent sponsorship. Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|13 : San-Ai Dream Centre : Nikken Sekkei - John Barr | Blog | 04/02/2020.
Ginza Kyukyodo: Karhu captures the wonderful old Kyukyodo store (remodelled ~ 1982) located adjacent to the San-Ai building - the dove crested & six square emblem fronted store (what are these?) specializing in incense, calligraphy supplies, postcards, stationery, gold seals, and Japanese paper products. https://kyukyodo.co.jp/about/history.html
Onkyo Advertisment: The partly hidden neon sign of the Onkyo Corporation consumer electronics manufacturer. https://onkyo.com/
AOR electronics? Bank? There are certainly more gems (upper left corner?!) to uncover…
Title: Ginza Synchromy. Ed.1/100.
Artist: Clifton Karhu (1927-2007).
Signed & Dated: Titled, editioned, & signed in pencil to plate. 1979.
Medium: Woodblock Print.
Image Size: Approx: W: 53.00cm x H: 39.50cm. (Paper Size: W: 60.50cm x H: 44.50cm).
Condition: A magnificent piece - lovely intensity of colour. Browning to paper, more notable verso. Please refer to photos. Contact for any further questions/photos/& condition report.
Notes: A truly fabulous time-capsule of an image capturing Ginza - Tokyo’s illustrious high-end dining, shopping, and entertainment district - in all its vibrancy during the late 1970’s. I loved researching this one - hunting down Ginza’s past & deciphering Karhu’s woven quiltwork of the district’s most iconic landmarks:
Wako/Hattori Clock Tower: The iconic symbol of Ginza (central to image). https://www.ginza.jp/en/landmark/12504
Ginza Mitsukoshi: The prestigious Mitsukoshi department store in central Ginza; celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2020, it remains the oldest surviving chain in Japan (logo/seal to image). https://cp.mistore.jp/global/en/ginza.html
“Ginza Globe” 銀座の地球儀 /Morinaga & Co globe: Advertising Morinaga’s chocolate/milk caramel confectionery, this iconic symbol of Japan’s postwar reconstruction stood atop the Ginza Nachi-Fujikoshi Building before it was dismantled in 1983. https://www.morinaga.co.jp/company/english/about/chronicle.html
Omega: The Omega brand logo - A boutique Omega watch store in Ginza?
San-Ai Building: Built in 1932, the cylindrical San-Ai building/San-Ai Dream Center sits on the corner of Ginza Crossing. Featuring the Mitsubishi logo (upper left of image: corner diamond) at the time, today the San-Ai building carries RICOH as its most recent sponsorship. Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|13 : San-Ai Dream Centre : Nikken Sekkei - John Barr | Blog | 04/02/2020.
Ginza Kyukyodo: Karhu captures the wonderful old Kyukyodo store (remodelled ~ 1982) located adjacent to the San-Ai building - the dove crested & six square emblem fronted store (what are these?) specializing in incense, calligraphy supplies, postcards, stationery, gold seals, and Japanese paper products. https://kyukyodo.co.jp/about/history.html
Onkyo Advertisment: The partly hidden neon sign of the Onkyo Corporation consumer electronics manufacturer. https://onkyo.com/
AOR electronics? Bank? There are certainly more gems (upper left corner?!) to uncover…
1964 - 15 years prior - however, an unbelievable video capturing the “Ginza Globe”, San-Ai Building, & adjacent Ginza Kyukyodo. (Extra: Note 1964 Tokyo Olympic advertising/bannering | Ringing bells of the Wako Clock Tower toward end?). Another world…
