Vintage Japanese Constellation Woodblock Print by Joichi Hoshi

Artist: Joichi Hoshi (1913–1979)
Title: The Great Dipper (A) (北斗 A)
Medium: Woodblock print
Year: 1969
Edition: 6/80
Image size: Please inquire
Paper size: Please inquire
Condition: Excellent condition. (Please adjust if your out-of-frame inspection reveals otherwise.)
Signed: Pencil signed, dated, titled, and numbered by the artist.

Notes: Joichi Hoshi is best known for his luminous images of trees, but his fascination with light extended far beyond the landscape. The Great Dipper (A) evokes the quiet experience of looking into a night sky, where familiar constellations emerge gradually from darkness rather than announcing themselves all at once. Rich blue-green tones and the delicate texture of the woodblock printing create a depth that changes subtly with the light, making the surface feel almost alive. It is a contemplative print that rewards unhurried viewing, bringing a calm, reflective presence to a room without asking for attention. Like much of Hoshi's finest work, its quiet strength reveals itself over time rather than at first glance.

Keywords: Joichi Hoshi, The Great Dipper, Woodblock Print, Night Sky, Stars, Constellation, Abstract, Japanese Print, Sosaku Hanga, Postwar Japanese Graphic Art