Cold Winter Wind by Shotei Pre-Earthquake

Artist: Hiroaki (Shotei) Takahashi (1871-1945)

Woodblock Prints Title: Cold Winter Wind

1st Publication: 1923 or Earlier

Size: 6-1/2 x 14-3/4 + Margins as shown

Date of this edition: Very 1st Edition, Pre earthquake (1923 or earlier)

Publisher: Wanatabe. Kakei Seal

Condition: Near Mint. A tiny clear spot in the upper margin

Notes: Shotei created 500 Works or so before the Kanto earthquake that destroyed all the blocks and inventory left. Later on, he re-carved about half of it. The most common version of this print is the 1936's reprint, where the red seal is rectangular and 2" lower in the print. See different version below :



The print on the left is sealed "Kakei" with seal K4. It is the pre-quake version of this design. The next print, second from the left, with Shôtei seal E, is the post-quake edition.
The third print from the left is a knock-off entitled "Wind blowing at Tsukuba", and is sealed "Shiwasu" which means "Year End".
The rightmost print is sealed "Gyō" and is therefore a knock-off print. However, like other knock-off prints with the same seal, this one is a beautifully executed copy, faithful to the original.

This is the very rare Pre-earthquake version bearing the # 723 on the back. This number doesn't mean that it was printed by 723 or more. It was the catalog reference number used by Wanatabe before the earthquake. So if you have a Wanatabe Catalog printed before 1923, you will find this print at the reference # 723. The new circa 1936 had different numbers for each print, therefore, # 723 no longer belong to this print. Please note that most of the inventory burned with the earthquake, leaving only a fraction of the quantity.

Pictures: Pictures are taken outdoor, in the shade, to reflect true colors, without any enhancements of any kind. The last picture is taken indoor, with a light behind the print, to reveal the exact paper grain, holes if any, or other possible flaws.