Contemporary Woodblock Print
A fabulous print by Junko Hanahara titled 大切な時間 (A Precious Moment) 🍶🍢. Set inside a compact neighbourhood izakaya, the scene centres on the counter where regulars perch shoulder to shoulder on round stools. In the foreground, a well-dressed woman with neatly styled hair and red lipstick chatters, relaxed and at ease. Opposite, her cheerful companion in brimmed hat and bold patterned jacket raises a bottle in celebration, his expression animated and open. Behind the counter, the cook works steadily, hands busy over simmering dishes as bowls, condiments, and sake bottles gather within easy reach. Along the back wall, handwritten menu slips and fabric noren frame a row of customers drinking quietly, some turned inward in conversation, others simply watching the room. The space feels close, warm, and well-worn - a familiar place where time slows just enough to savour the company. A particularly fun piece, & very small edition of 5.
- Year & Edition: 2022. Edition of 5. (signed, titled, & editioned in pencil).
- Medium: Woodblock.
- Dimensions: Sheet H 48.25 cm × W 63.50 cm. Image H 36.75 cm × W 56.00 cm.
- Condition: Direct from the artist’s studio.
- Notes: A Precious Moment captures the small rituals that define everyday social life - sharing a drink, trading stories across the counter, and lingering a little longer than planned. Hanahara’s careful observation of gesture, posture, and expression brings humour and warmth to a scene built entirely from ordinary moments.
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