Fumio Kitaoka - 冬の支笏湖 (Lake Shikotsu in Winter)

Name: Fumio Kitaoka - 冬の支笏湖 (Lake Shikotsu in Winter)
Brand: Kumo Arts
Price: 380.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

£380.00

Modern | Sōsaku Hanga Woodblock Print

Fumio Kitaoka’s 1971 woodblock shows Lake Shikotsu’s deep caldera waters under winter light, framed by ice-laden driftwood and snow-capped peaks. Snow-dusted logs anchor the foreground while distant boats hint at life on the glassy surface. ❄️🌊

Year & Edition: 1971 · Artist Proof (signed, titled & dated in pencil).
Medium: Woodblock.
Dimensions: Sheet W: 63.50 cm × H: 48.00 cm; Image W: 54.50 cm × H: 39.75 cm.
Condition: Spectacular for its age; vibrant, unblemished surface; paper clean & intact.
Notes: Formed 40,000 years ago by volcanic caldera collapse, Lake Shikotsu (支笏湖) lies within Shikotsu-Toya National Park in Hokkaido and - thanks to its depth - never fully freezes. Famous for its crystal-clear waters and the annual Ice Festival (支笏湖氷濤まつり, Jan-Feb), the lake draws visitors to see illuminated ice sculptures, fireworks and winter performances. Its connection to the Chitose River offers year-round activities from hiking and bird-watching to kayaking.

About the Artist

Fumio Kitaoka (1918-2007) was a leading figure in Japan’s sōsaku-hanga movement and a student of both Unichi Hiratsuka and Koshiro Onchi. Known for his quietly powerful landscapes, Kitaoka explored seasonal change, shifting light, and the passage of time. He exhibited and taught internationally from the 1950s onward, and his work is held in major collections including MoMA, Harvard Art Museums, and the Yokohama Museum of Art. [ ← View All Works by Fumio Kitaoka]