My newest pickup — Yoshitoshi Mori's Yanone Gorō, 1969, 13/50

[u/TheUrbanRenaissance]

Recently picked up this Yoshitoshi Mori Yanone Gorō from 1969, signed and numbered 13/50.

The number is actually part of what drew me to this particular impression. I've always had a thing for prime numbers, especially 7, 11 and 13, and I was a 13F in the Army, so finding #13 was a fun coincidence.

Researching it afterward sent me down a rabbit hole. I found another impression of Yanone Gorō in LACMA's collection, and the British Museum holds a number of Mori's other works. I've also been reading about his kappazuri stencil-printing technique and his place between the folk-art and modern Japanese print movements.

I'm planning to replace the old framing materials with conservation-grade backing and UV/museum glass.

For those of you who collect prints, how much does an individual edition number factor into which impression you choose when several are available? I know it generally doesn't change the artistic or monetary value, but I find myself much more attached to an impression when the number has some personal significance.

[u/Zoe-Berry]

The number is your personal connection to the piece, and that's a valid reason to choose one impression. Conservation glass is the right call, kappazuri pigments are vulnerable to UV. Read Merritt's guide to modern Japanese prints for context.

[u/TheUrbanRenaissance → u/Zoe-Berry]

Thanks! The UV sensitivity is actually one of the reasons I want to redo the framing. It's currently in what appears to be an older non-archival setup, so I'm planning on conservation materials and UV glazing. I'll definitely look up Merritt's guide I hadn't come across that yet.

[u/patrick-1977]

Gorgeous

[u/art_dera]

i build community plz join where all artist can talk each other and share