Original Woodblock Print by Katsuyuki Nishijima Lmt Ed 70/500 "Kiso Kaido" 20.5"W

Katsuyuki Nishijima (b. 1945)

“木曽街道 (Kiso Kaidō)”
Limited Edition Woodblock Print No. 70/500, signed and sealed by the artist

A striking modern mokuhanga (木版画) by the Kyoto printmaker Katsuyuki Nishijima (西島 勝之, b. 1945) depicting a quiet evening along the historic Kiso Kaidō (木曽街道) — one of the five Edo-period highways linking Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo). Before a shadowed row of wooden machiya (町家) stands a brilliant line of wagasa (和傘, Japanese paper umbrellas) in vibrant reds, blues, and creams, their radiant forms contrasting with the muted geometry of the architecture behind.

Rendered in Nishijima’s distinctive style of bold contours and careful bokashi (gradation), the composition captures the serene balance between craft and structure that defines Japan’s old townscapes. The umbrellas evoke both the artisan culture of the Kiso post towns and the graceful order of traditional life along the highway.

Edition: 70 / 500
Signature / Seal: Signed “K. Nishijima” in pencil with artist’s red seal
Medium: Color woodblock print on handmade washi
Dimensions: 21.5 in × 15 in (sheet)
Condition: Excellent impression and color; minor margin toning only.

Katsuyuki Nishijima (西島 勝之, born 1945) is a renowned Kyoto-based printmaker celebrated for his evocative portrayals of Japan’s traditional streets and architecture. A self-taught artist influenced by the sōsaku hanga (創作版画, “creative print”) movement, Nishijima combines traditional carving and printing techniques with a modern graphic sensibility. His work balances precision and warmth, capturing quiet moments of daily life in Kyoto and beyond. Nishijima’s prints are internationally collected and exhibited, admired for their clarity, color, and serene atmosphere.