Sozan (fl.1919 - 1926 )
Sozan Ito was print artist known for his Shin Hanga designs. Born in 1884, he completed kacho-e, or “bird-and-flower pictures,” and some bijin-ga, or “pictures of beautiful women,” for the famous Shin Hanga publisher Shozaburo Watanabe. This relationship continued from 1919 to 1926. Unfortunately, little is known about Sozan’s life and career outside this partnership.
Posthumous Editions & Reprints
Some print designs were so beloved that they remained popular long after their original printing. From delicate surimono to the iconic landscapes of Hiroshige and Hokusai, famous designs reemerged from the blocks of Meiji-period printers and continue to be printed by contemporary publishers today.