Kunio Kaneko - Oh My Mai

A beautiful print by Kunio Kaneko: Oh My Mai. Four elegant koi (鯉) circle gracefully within a large shimmering disc of gold & silver leaf. Their distinct colourful markings stand out against the luminous surface, each fish poised in perfect balance. A striking composition from Kaneko’s celebrated koi series - capturing movement, contrast, and serenity in equal measure. 🐟🌕

• Year & Edition: 2018 · Ed. x/150 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Sheet approx. H: 44.00 cm × W: 43.00 cm.
  
• Condition: Mint.
  
• Notes: Koi are revered in Japanese art for their symbolism - often representing perseverance, vitality, and good fortune. Kaneko’s skilled layering of gold and colour enhances their form without disrupting the print’s quiet clarity. Artist seal to lower right.

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]