Kunio Kaneko - Locomotion

A fabulous print by Kunio Kaneko: Locomotion. Six long-tailed koi (鯉) glide in gentle formation across a dark background, their fins highlighted with soft metallic sheen. Rendered in gold, silver, and red tones, each fish appears weightless, suspended mid-motion. This work belongs to Kaneko’s celebrated series of koi woodblock prints - richly embellished works that reflect the traditional symbolism of koi in Japanese art. 🐟✨

• Year & Edition: 2010 · Ed. x/169 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Sheet H: 20.50 cm × W: 62.50 cm; Image H: 14.00 cm × W: 56.25 cm.
  
• Condition: Mint.
  
• Notes: Koi (鯉) are emblematic of strength, endurance, and harmony in Japanese culture. Kaneko’s refined technique and use of metallic leaf enhance the visual rhythm of this print, drawing on the symbolism and beauty of these revered fish.

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]