Toshi Yoshida produced three sets of woodblock prints for the Franklin Mint. The Friendly Garden (consisting of 3 prints), Birds of the Seasons (consisting of 4 prints) and a 12 print “calendar print” set depicting birds and flowers.
The official name for the 12 woodblock print series is “The Flowers and Birds of the Oriental Year” and was it produced in 1982. The Certificate of Authenticity for the prints says…
“This is to certify that the print accompanied by this certificate is one of 12 original Surimono woodblock prints in The Flowers and Birds of the Oriental Year collection created by Toshi Yoshida and issued in limited edition by the Franklin Gallery.
It is further certified that Mr. Yoshida has hand-impressed his personal signature mark on this work to indicate that it meets with his approval.”
Surimono translates literally into “printed thing,” and generally indicates a print that was privately issued or limited edition commissioned prints that are not placed on public sale.
I’ve not previously seen the entire calendar print set displayed together on the web before so have listed them here for reference (n.b. I don’t own this set).
The woodblock prints are chuban size with what appears to be the standard Yoshida/Franklin-Mint teak frames with rounded edges. Unlike the much larger sized Friendly Garden and Birds of the Seasons prints the mats are not silk covered. I don’t know if that’s usual or these particluar prints have been re-matted however the back board of the frames have a large label in kanji so appear to be original. Presumably this patricular set below was for the Japanese market.
January
Mutsuki 睦月
February
Kisaragi 如月
March
Yayoi 弥生
April
Uzuki 卯月
May
Satsuki 早月
June
Minazuki 水無月
July
Fumizuki 文月
August
Hazuki 葉月
September
Nagatsuki 長月
October
Kannazuki 神無月
November
Shimotsuki 霜月
December
Shiwasu 師走
Update:28/11/2012 – These prints were all sold at auction in Japan last night for around Y4200 ($50~) each.
Seven of them are now listed on eBay with a starting pricing of $85USD. At that price the Japan auction winner (not me, I didn’t bid) will make a nice profit but they’re still good value to anyone interested in acquiring them. It’s a pity the Japan auction winner couldn’t get the full set to keep it together. The seven prints are the Japanese version with Kanji labellng on the verso and it will be hard to acquire the other five Kanji labelled versions to complete the set.
Interestingly (well to me at least) is that the new owner has been able to list them on eBay already. The same pics from the Japanese auction were used on the eBay listings but presumably the new owner doesn’t yet have the woodblock prints in their possession? (unless last nights buyer was also the seller).
Update:30/11/2012 – 6 Sold on e-Bay for $125 each!
It looks like six of the eBay auctions for these woodblock prints were converted from bidding starting at $85 to “Buy it Now” for $125 and they all sold to a single buyer so I expect that was done by arrangement.
The seventh woodblock print already had 1 bid so has been left to run. The prints initially sold in Japan on the 28th for about $50 USD each so for the six woodblock prints sold so far that’s a very nice profit of $450~ (before costs) for the seller. Not bad for something they owned for 2 or 3 days 🙂
Update:04/12/2012 – The final woodblock print sold on e-Bay for US $234.50.
The seventh Toshi Yoshida woodblock print (October – Kannazuki – 神無月) sold for $234.50 last night.
Good explanation and photos, Perfect Japanese Design.
by the way i have seen a gallery in Paris http://www.facebook.com/yakimonos, which has nice japanese art pieces
check it out thanks….
I have a teak-framed print by Toshi Yoshida, circa 1980, named “Pine Tree of the Friendly Garden”. I looked them up on the net in 2006 and several of the 3 prints in this series were available. Can’t find any for sale now. Is anyone interested in this particular print? If so, please email me at: [email protected]……thank you.
Hi Linda,
If anyone contacts me about the print I will let you know. A copy of this Toshi Yoshida woodblock print has just been listed for auction on eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pine-Tree-of-the-Friendly-Garden-Toshi-Yoshida-signed-/271309806088?pt=Art_Prints&hash=item3f2b531a08) with a start bid of $85 so you may wish to monitor that to see the final selling price.
Generally the Franklin Mint commissioned Toshi Yoshida Friendly Garden woodblock prints individually sell in the $200-$350 range although some people do list them MUCH higher.
Regards, Mike.
I have all 12 paintings of the flower and the birds of Oriental year from 1982 if you are interested you can email me thank you
I own the complete set of the The Flowers and Birds of the Oriental Year. The twelve months.
I would like to sell them.
If anyone is interested, please let me know.
Regards,
[email protected]
good morning
I have a lithograph with the back certificate of authenticity: The Flowers and birds of the Oriental Year certified in February 1982. If you are interested please contact me [email protected]. This litho is in France and wish to sell it. best regards
NB: I do not speak English. This message is translated by Google translation french / english – thank you for your understanding
I have the paintings of the flowers and birds of the Oriental year certified February 1st 1982 can you tell me what they’re worth or if someone is interested in buying them
Hey Carol,
I’m just back from holiday hence the late reply.
I have seen those prints sell for a bargin $50 each but more typically seen people ask around $1000-1200 for the full set.
Regards, Mike.
I have the full set. I am willing to sell them.
Hi Lisa,
I’m not look for these prints myself but if any one gets in touch I’ll let you know.
Regards,
Michael.
Thanks so much!
I guess no one has co tasted you recently about wanting these prints?
Hi Lisa,
Sorry, no. If you’re actively looking to sell them there’s always eBay. Galleries like Floating World and Castle Fine Arts offer appraisals and are both familiar with works by Toshi Yoshida. They both also buy prints in good condition.
Regards, Mike.
Hi Linda –
What is your contact information? I might be interested. Thanks
(Admin please feel free to provide my email to Linda)
I’ve sent Lisa an email regarding your interest in her prints.
NB I accidentally called Lisa, Linda in a previous reply to one our her comments. Sorry.
Lisa, are you still selling the prints?
Yes, I am. Sorry I haven’t checked this in a while. My email address is [email protected].
Are you still interested in the prints?
I have just recently acquired 5 of these prints and am in the market to sell them. Anyone seriously interested can email me at [email protected]
Bonjour,
J’ai en ma possession les 12 gravures. je suis prête à les vendre.
Si des personnes sont intéressées, n’hésitez pas à me contacter.
En vous remerciant,
I have in my possession the 12 engravings. I am ready to sell them.
If anyone is interested, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Thanking you,
Bertille
[email protected]