Kunio Kaneko - Summertime 2

A fabulous print by Kunio Kaneko: Summertime 2. A playful composition of goldfish (金魚) swirling in a summer pool, with one viewed through a circular scoop - echoing the nostalgic Japanese festival game kingyo sukui (金魚すくい). Printed in vibrant pigments with Kaneko’s signature metallic shimmer, this charming piece is rich in seasonal imagery and cultural reference. 🎐🐟

• Year & Edition: 2012 · Ed. x/150 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Sheet approx. H: 45.50 cm × W: 44.25 cm.
  
• Condition: Mint.
  
• Notes: A delightful piece from Kunio Kaneko’s celebrated Summertime series. The circular scoop refers to kingyo sukui (金魚すくい), a traditional game at summer festivals in which children try to catch goldfish using a paper scoop (poi). The print captures the fleeting joy of the matsuri season. 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]