Clifton Karhu - 芝大門の家 (House In Shiba)

Modern | Sōsaku Hanga Woodblock Print

Clifton Karhu’s 1981 woodblock vividly captures Tokyo’s Tolman Collection gallery - housed in a converted teahouse in Shiba - depicting its traditional machiya façade, intricate lattices and lush greenery in warm earth tones and crisp detail. 🏮🖼️

• Year & Edition: 1981 · Ed. of 100 (24/100) (titled, editioned & signed in pencil to plate).
• Medium: Woodblock.
• Dimensions: Sheet H: 47.00 cm × W: 47.75 cm; Image H: 40.50 cm × W: 40.50 cm.
• Condition: Excellent; rich, unblemished colours; paper clean, crisp & intact.
• Notes: This print honors the Tolman Collection gallery - founded in 1972 by Norman and Mary Tolman and opened in this former Shiba teahouse on October 1, 1981 - celebrated for its gracious hospitality, distinctive signage, lush plantings and meticulously curated exhibitions. The gallery’s early championing of Karhu’s work helped introduce his modern woodblock art to a global audience, and this depiction stands as a testament to their enduring collaboration and shared passion for contemporary Japanese printmaking.

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]