Gihachiro Okuyama’s mid-century woodblock “帆引き船 (‘Hobikibune’)” evokes the graceful sweep of traditional fishing boats on Lake Kasumigaura (霞ヶ浦), Japan’s second-largest lake after Lake Biwa (琵琶湖), their vast 9 m-tall by 16 m-long white sails billowing against shimmering waters - a timeless homage to Ibaraki’s seafaring heritage and regional identity. ⛵🌊
- Year & Edition: Circa 1960–70s. Self-printed by 奥山儀八郎自摺 (Okuyama Gihachiro jizuri); pencil-signed and titled in margins.
- Medium: Woodblock.
- Dimensions: Sheet H: 24.00 cm × W: 48.00 cm.
- Condition: Excellent condition given age. Clean, clear image, no marks or blemishes.
- Notes: The Hobikibune were the primary sail-powered fishing vessels on Lake Kasumigaura (霞ヶ浦) in the 19th century before modern trawlers emerged. Their towering sails remain a celebrated feature in local festivals, drawing visitors to commemorate the lake’s cultural importance and Ibaraki’s historic waterways.
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