Original Woodblock Print by Katsuyuki Nishijima Lmt Ed 79/500 "Enka" 17"W

Katsuyuki Nishijima (b. 1945). “円嘉” (Enka) c1980's
Limited edition woodblock print, numbered 79/500, signed in pencil with artist’s red seal.

This charming contemporary mokuhanga (木版画, woodblock print) by Katsuyuki Nishijima (西島 勝之, b. 1945) captures a nostalgic Edo-period street scene with a traditional machiya (町家, townhouse) storefront beneath a tiled roof. A shop curtain (暖簾, noren) marked with large kanji opens to reveal shelves of colorful ningyō (人形, dolls), while four of Japan’s Shichifukujin (七福神, Seven Lucky Gods) smile from the upper eaves—symbols of prosperity, wisdom, and good fortune.

Rendered in Nishijima’s distinctive graphic style—bold contour lines, rich earth tones, and subtle bokashi (gradation)—the print conveys the timeless charm of Kyoto’s merchant districts and the enduring craftsmanship of Japanese architecture. Printed on fine washi paper, the soft textures of the pigment layers reveal the artist’s mastery of traditional printmaking techniques adapted to modern sensibility.

Edition: 79/500
Signature/Seal: Pencil signed “K. Nishijima” with red artist’s seal
Dimensions: (sheet) approx. 17.25" x 12.5"
Medium: Color woodblock print on handmade washi
Condition: Excellent; clean impression and margins.

Katsuyuki Nishijima (西島勝之, born 1945) is a celebrated contemporary Japanese printmaker best known for his nostalgic portrayals of Kyoto’s old streets, temples, and merchant houses. A self-taught artist, Nishijima began his career as an apprentice to the renowned woodblock artist Kunio Kaneko and later studied traditional printing methods in Kyoto. His works are admired for their clarity of line, rhythmic composition, and warm use of color, evoking the quiet beauty of Japan’s architectural and seasonal landscapes. Nishijima’s prints are held in numerous international collections and have been exhibited worldwide as fine examples of the sōsaku hanga (creative print) movement that bridges traditional technique and modern design.