Clifton Karhu - Eigamura

Modern | Sōsaku Hanga Woodblock Print

Clifton Karhu’s 1983 woodblock shows a kimono-clad couple pausing outside Toei Uzumasi Eigamura (東映太秦映画村), Kyoto’s immersive Edo-period film theme park. His crisp black outlines and rich colour fields capture the wooden façades, lantern banners and nostalgic atmosphere of live movie sets. 🎥🗾

• Year & Edition: 1983 · Ed. of 150 (15/150) (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
• Medium: Woodblock.
• Dimensions: Sheet H: 38.00 cm × W: 47.50 cm; Image H: 30.50 cm × W: 40.50 cm.
• Condition: Excellent; vibrant, unblemished colours; paper clean, crisp & intact.
• Notes: Depicts Toei Uzumasi Eigamura (東映太秦映画村), established 1975, where visitors wander live Edo-period sets, attractions and ongoing historical dramas. Issued in 1983 alongside a Kyoto Print Collection featuring works by Tomikichiro Tokuriki, Clifton Karhu and Masao Ido - each capturing a distinct facet of Kyoto’s seasonal beauty and architectural elegance.

About the Artist

Clifton Karhu (1927-2007) was an American-born woodblock printmaker who spent most of his life in Kyoto. His bold lines and vivid colours captured the character of Kyoto’s machiya townhouses and quiet backstreets, earning him recognition both in Japan and internationally. His works are held in major museum collections around the world. Karhu’s legacy lives on through his family and The Tolman Collection, his long-time representatives. Today, his son Joel Karhu continues the tradition with a striking printmaking practice of his own. [ ← View All Works by Clifton Karhu]