Sumi Kabuki Hen

In 2017, I was asked to view Boston’s MFA exhibit, “Showdown: Kuniyoshi vs Kunisada”, create a work inspired by seeing the show, and then do a demonstration of my process.  The result was a triptych of three guinea hens,  the main influence being from Kunisada’s work, “Fashionable Firefly-Hunting”.

“Kabuki Hen” is the first of my three hens.  Just as many Kabuki players adorned their kimonos with their family crest, the Shimizu Family Crest appears on the chest of this unique bird.

“Sumi Kabuki Hen” was made during the summer of 2021 from the blocks of “Kabuki Hen”. The prints of 2017 were made for demonstrations, with the intent to print an edition later. Four years later, I decided to feature sumi, a rich, black ink made from soot and animal glue, and printed the edition with a completely new color palette.

Paper: Yamaki Hosho
Blocks:  Shina Plywood
Ink: Powdered Pigment and Sumi Ink
Actual Size: 10″ x 16″ , Edition of 22, 2021