Kunio Kaneko - Birthday

A beautiful print by Kunio Kaneko: Birthday. Five koi (鯉) gather in gentle motion across a gold & silver leaf background, each rendered with distinct patterns in red, indigo, yellow, and black. The fish appear mid-glide, their fins and tails lightly lifting against the soft metallic surface. This work belongs to Kaneko’s celebrated koi series - woodblock prints rooted in Japanese symbolism and traditional craftsmanship. 🎏✨

• Year & Edition: 2019 · Ed. x/150 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Sheet H: 39.00 cm × W: 58.00 cm; Image H: 33.00 cm × W: 52.00 cm.
  
• Condition: Mint.
  
• Notes: Koi (鯉) carry deep cultural meaning in Japan, representing strength, perseverance, and harmony. Kaneko's refined approach and use of metallic leaf elevate each print to a graceful visual statement. Artist seal to lower left.

About the Artist

Kunio Kaneko (b. 1949) is a Tokyo-based printmaker whose work blends postwar mokuhanga tradition with quiet, contemporary warmth. A student of Joichi Hoshi and Sasajima Kihei, he developed a distinctive style enriched with gold and silver leaf, featuring recurring motifs such as koi, koinobori, Fuji, kimono, tabi, and geta. His prints reflect a desire to communicate love and human connection through the handmade image. An esteemed member of the Japan Print Association, Kaneko has exhibited widely in Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. [ ← View All Works by Kunio Kaneko]