Hello, My Love!

Hello, Shuzo Ikeda, 1964

At last!  My love has come along!  Today I am as happy as ever because the breathtaking woodblock print above, "Hello" by Shuzo Ikeda, is finally mine! As a long-time admirer of Sunny Day Vintage on Etsy, I was lucky when Sunny happened across a collection of Japanese Hanga artist, Shuzo Ikeda, at an estate sale. It was love at first sight for me. The tender humanity and love of nature captured in this moment reaches something deep inside of me. Right away I began to save my money to own this print, and today it is part of my personal collection. Love.

Daffodils, Shuzo Ikeda, 1967

I am by no means overflowing in knowledge about Shuzo Ikeda. I've done a bit of research, but haven't found much beyond the fact that he was from the Akita prefecture in Japan and that he taught for years before devoting himself to his woodblock prints. What I can say with certainty is that his prints convey such an optimism and sense of possibility. His wide-eyed children invite you to re-experience the world as you did when you were young and innocent with wonderment and a pureness of emotion.

Sunflowers, Shuzo Ikeda, 1965

It seems that Shuzo Ikeda was quite prolific in his lifetime. I've found countless block prints, all of which are astonishingly beautiful, but not many of which are for sale. Sunny Day Vintage still has two available for purchase- "Sunflowers" and "Ophelia." They are probably not impulse purchases for the average person, but if you love them as much as I do, it's worth saving up your pennies. As soon as I opened my print, I knew I had made a choice that I would be appreciating for a lifetime.

Ophelia, Shuzo Ikeda, 1964

Here are a few other favorites I came across. They are from collector, Ross Walter's personal collection, and therefore not available for purchase. I especially love "Chrysanthemum."

Chrysanthemum, Shuzo Ikeda, 1966

Flower Curtain, Shuzo Ikeda, 1973

And here are a few more I found at liveauctioneers.com and artelino.com, respectively.

 Child and Bird, Shuzo Ikeda, year not listed

Fireworks 2, Shuzo Ikeda, 1962

What do you think? Have any knowledge to add about Shuzo Ikeda, or favorites of your own? Perhaps you know a bit more about Hanga artists or it's history as an art form.  I would love to hear your thoughts!