Kunio Kaneko - Tabi 38

A fabulous print by Kunio Kaneko: Tabi 38. A pair of white split-toe tabi (足袋) are placed over a bold red and gold textile background. Dated 1992, this work is part of Kaneko’s long-running Tabi series - a celebration of traditional Japanese footwear and dress. 🧦🇯🇵

• Year & Edition: 1992 · Ed. 158/200 (signed, titled & editioned in pencil).
  
• Medium: Woodblock.
  
• Dimensions: Sheet approx. H: 37.00 cm × W: 20.00 cm.
  
• Condition: Small handling crease to lower right tabi. Otherwise a lovely print.
  
• Notes: Tabi (足袋) are traditional Japanese split-toe socks, historically worn with zōri (草履) and geta (下駄). Originally crafted from leather, they later became standard in cotton, worn in formal dress and everyday traditional clothing. 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]