Title: Ichiriki Noren. AP2.

Artist: Clifton Karhu (1927-2007).

Signed & Dated: Titled, editioned, & signed in pencil to plate. 1982.

Medium: Woodblock Print.

Image Size: Approx: W: 40.50cm x H: 40.50cm. (Paper Size: W: 47.50cm x H: 47.00cm).

Condition: Very good - Wonderful deep midnight tones remain with very minimal paper browning. Couple pinhole foxing spots to sky. Well looked after over years. Previous mounting residue verso. Please refer to photos. Contact for any further questions/photos/& condition report.

Notes: A fabulous image of the prestigious Ichiriki teahouse 一力茶屋 in Gion, Kyoto. Entertaining exceptionally exclusive guests (invitation only); its red walled, lattice windowed, noren screened, & angled wooden/bamboo skirts (inu-yarai (犬矢来)) conceal the courtyard, geisha, & patrons within from prying eyes/ears.

An interestingly atypical image - the Ichiriki noren curtain reading a circular Zen form (円相) rather than the usual ichi (一) riki (力) = 万 found displayed today. (Note: Artist Proof (AP2)).

Read more: The Yamasa Institute - Ichiriki Ochaya - its ties in history to Memoirs of a Geisha & The Forty-Seven Ronin.