Paul Binnie
Prints
Bijin-ga (Beauties) & A Hundred Shades of Ink of Edo
Fukei-ga (Landscapes)
Kabuki
Bijin-ga (Beauties) & A Hundred Shades of Ink of Edo
“Sharaku” Sharaku no Giga
Edo zumi hyaku shoku series (A Hundred Shades of Ink of Edo)
Medium: Woodblock
Date: 2011
Image size: Oban - 15 x 11 in.
Signed and numbered in pencil with the series title cartouche in the upper right margin, the print title to the left.
Edition: 100
Condition: Excellent
Price: $625
The print by Sharaku of Otani Oniji which forms the main tattoo design is one of the best-known prints of the enigmatic Sharaku, who only produced prints for a short time in 1794-5, but who has left us around 140 designs from that brief period. The unusual position of the hands in this print were the key to the dramatic, dynamic pose of the model, for though they represent the frozen action of the Kabuki stage, it could be the model is reacting to a loud noise or shock, and he is instinctively moving to protect himself. The similarity in the position of the hands of the tattoo and the live man is vital to this design. The small cartouche shows Ichikawa Ebizo, maybe one of the most striking faces in this group, and one which well deserves to be used as a caricature, and the seal here is Paul’s own self-caricature, made up of the letters of my name. This is the ninth design in the continuing series Edo Zumi Hayaku Shoku (A Hundred Shades of Ink of Edo) of tattoo prints.
“Bang Bang” BanBan
Edo zumi hyaku shoku series (A Hundred Shades of Ink of Edo)
Medium: Woodblock
Date: 2011
Image size: Oban - 15 x 11 in.
Signed and numbered in pencil with the series title cartouche in the upper right margin, the print title to the left.
Edition: 100
Condition: Excellent
Price: $625
The non-tattoo version of Sharaku no Giga, BanBan, is the first time Paul has used katakana (a relatively angular kana or syllabary, used for writing foreign words) in the actual design, and the large yellow symbols stand out like words in a manga (comic), or perhaps even like turn-of-the-century French posters, which were often influenced by Japanese prints. He created the unusual aubergine-coloured background by printing brownish-purple over yellow, and it feels somehow like the fugitive purple of an Edo-period print.
“Eisen’s Blue-Printed Pictures” Eisen no Aizuri-e
Edo zumi hyaku shoku series (A Hundred Shades of Ink of Edo)
Medium:
Japanese woodblock print
Date: 2011
Print size: 17.5 x 12 in.
Image size: Oban - 15 x 11 in.
Edition: 100
Description: Black to grey bokashi (shaded) background w baren sujizuri ( swirly line-printing), blue-green and blue-purple accessories, red seal ‘Binnie’ in form of baren, the tool for printing hence suri/zuri, gold series title cartouche top right margin; ‘Edo Zumi Hyaku Shoku’. The print title to the left with the first portion, Eisen no, in the style of Eisen's signature, followed by a small aizuri-e (all blue print) of the original composition from which the tattoo is derived, signed in bronze-gold kanji, Bin-ni, with artist's red seal Binnie in the shape of a baren (the essential tool used by a woodblock printer to work the pigments into the paper), numbered and signed in pencil on the bottom margin.
Condition: Excellent
Price: unframed - $595, w museum quality frame - $895
With its black to grey background employed in all the series Edo Zumi Hyaku Shoku (A Hundred Shades of Ink of Edo), Eisen no Aizuri-e refers to the blue-printed pictures of Eisen. The importation of colour-fast Prussian blue from the west, especially in the 1820s and 1830s, gave rise to a number of artists using blue extensively in their designs, and Eisen’s beauties are one example of these. Paul has reversed the particular design from the print used in the cartouche for the tattoo and emphasised the blue feel by making the accessories in the print in blue-related shades. This is the eighth design in the series, and the fourth female design in that set.
“Cool Breeze” Suzukaze
Medium: Japanese woodblock print
Date: 2011
Print size: 16.5 x 12.125 in.
Image size: Oban - 15 x 11 in.
Edition: 100
Description: Solid black background printed three times w purple and orange/yellow accessories on her robe, embossed w mica on the small squares. The title Suzukaze in purple at upper left margin, signed at the lower left in purple kanji, Bin-ni, followed by artist's seal Binnie in yellow, embossed Binnie at the center of the bottom margin, and numbered and signed in pencil.
Condition: Excellent
Price: unframed - $795, w museum quality frame - $1,095
Suzukaze is titled after the cooling evening breezes on the heat of summer when humidity causes many people to discard their clothes to avoid the heat.
“First Night” Shoya
Azuma Nishiki Bijin Awase series: (A Collection of Eastern Brocade Beauties)
Medium: Japanese woodblock print
Date: 2011
Print size: 17.5 x 12 in.
Image size: Oban - 15 x 11 in.
Edition: 100
Description: White mica background over gofun, baren sujizuri in the pink robe to her left, the red hair accessories embellished with mica; signed at left in kanji, Bin-ni, followed by artist's red seal Binnie, the series title on the upper left margin, Azuma nishiki bijin awase, the print title on the lower left margin, Shoya, embossed Binnie at the center of the bottom margin, and numbered and signed in pencil.
Condition: Excellent
Price: unframed - $795, w museum quality frame - $1,095
Shoya,or First Night, refers to the first night of marriage, and the hairstyle is a traditional one for young married women and the white of the background suggest the wedding kimono. This is the seventh design in my series Azuma Nishiki Bijin Awase (Collection of Eastern Brocade Beauties)
“Moon Viewing” Tsukimi
Medium: Kappazuri stencil print on black washi paper
Date: 2011
Print Size: 25 x 19 ½ in., Image Size: 23 x 18 in. Edition: 80
Description: Signed, titled and numbered at bottom margin with the artist's seal embedded in the composition.
Condition: Excellent
Price: $850
“Hair Combing” Kamisuki
Medium: Woodblock
Date: 2010
Print size: Dai-oban, 19 x 13 1/2 in., Image size: 17 1/2 x 11 1/2 in.
Edition: 100
Condition: Excellent
Price: unframed - $995, w museum quality frame - $1,395
The mauve-purple kimono offsets the patterns of irises and butterflies, and includes subtle bokashi or shading in the flowers. Details include 22-carat gold leaf on the comb, lacquer printing in the hair, and extensive embossing to suggest the fabric of the kimono. The pink baren ’sujizuri’ background melts into hints of yellow, reflecting the tones of the kimono motifs. These effects have been achieved with 34 printings, including embossing and gold leaf.
“Veranda - 2009” Engawa
Azuma Nishiki Bijin Awase series: (A Collection of Eastern Brocade Beauties)
Medium: Woodblock
Date: 2009
Print size: 17.5 x 12 in. Image size: 15 x 11 in.
Description: Signed and numbered in pencil with red artist’s seal, surname embossed in the middle of the lower margin. Edition: 100
Condition: Excellent
Price: unframed - $795, w museum quality frame - $1,095
“Twilight” Tasogare
Azuma nishiki bijin awase series: (A Collection of Eastern Brocade Beauties)
Woodblock
2010
Image size: Oban - 15 x 11 in.
Signed and numbered in pencil with the print and series title in black ink and red artist’s seal chop.
Edition: 100
Condition: Excellent
Price: $795, w museum quality frame - $1,095
“Kiyonagas Pipe” Kiyonaga
Edo zumi hyaku shoku series (A Hundred Shades of Ink of Edo)
Woodblock
2010
Image size: Oban - 15 x 11 in.
Signed and numbered in pencil with the series title cartouche in the upper right margin, the print title to the left.
Edition: 100
Condition: Excellent
Price: $625, w museum quality frame - $925
“Lingering Dreams” Yume no Ato
Woodblock
2009
Double oban - 19 1/2 x 14 1/8 in.
Signed and numbered in lower margin
Edition: 200
Self-carved and printed by the artist.
Condition: Excellent
Price: $1,150
“Phoenix” Ho-o
Woodblock
2009
Double oban - 19 1/2 x 14 1/8 in.
Signed and numbered in lower margin.
Edition: 200
Self-carved and printed by the artist.
Condition: Excellent
Price: $1,150
“Morning Tears” Asa ni Namida
Azuma Nishiki Bijin Awase series: (A Collection of Eastern Brocade Beauties)
Woodblock
2009
Print size: 17.5 x 12 in. Image size: 15 x 11 in.
Surname embossed in the middle of the lower margin. Printed on a heavier paper from Iwate prefecture.
Edition: 100
Condition: Excellent
Price: $795, w museum quality frame - $1,095
“Maiko in Kyoto” Kyo Maiko
Azuma nishiki bijin awase series: (A Collection of Eastern Brocade Beauties)
Woodblock
2008
15 x 11 in.
Edition: 100
Condition: Excellent
Price: unframed - $795, w museum quality frame - $1,095
“Harunobu's Bath” Harunobu no Furo
Edo zumi hyaku shoku series (A Hundred Shades of Ink of Edo)
Woodblock
2007
16 x 10 1/2 in.
Edition: 100
Condition: Excellent
Price: $595
“Sword” Katana
Non-tattoo version of “Kunisada's Danjuro”
Woodblock
2006
15 x 11 1/2 in.
Edition: 30
Condition: Excellent
Price: $595, w museum quality frame - $895
“After the Bath” Furo agari
Azuma nishiki bijin awase series: (A Collection of Eastern Brocade Beauties)
Woodblock
2006
15 x 11 in.
Edition: 100
Condition: Excellent
Price: unframed - $795, w museum quality frame - $1,095
“Kunisada's Danjuro” Kanisada no Danjuro
Edo zumi hyaku shoku series (A Hundred Shades of Ink of Edo)
Woodblock
2006
15 x 11 1/2 in.
Edition: 100
Condition: Excellent
Price: $625, w museum quality frame - $895
“Hokusai's Waterfalls”
Edo zumi hyaku shoku series (A Hundred Shades of Ink of Edo)
Woodblock
2006
Image size: Oban - 15 x 11 in.
Signed and numbered in pencil with the series title cartouche in the upper right margin and the print title to the left.
Edition: 100.
Condition: Excellent
Price: $575, w museum quality frame - $895
“Butterfly Bow” Cho musubi
Azuma nishiki bijin awase series: (A Collection of Eastern Brocade Beauties)
Woodblock
2005
15 x 11 in.
Edition: 100
Condition: Excellent
Price: On Request
Skillfully executed bokashi (gradation of colors) shading; extensive baren sujizuri (circles) in background; gold mica on upper and silver metallic waves lower obi (sash); gauffrage (embossing) to sleeve's butterflies and Binnie's name (margin); metallic-gold title; highly detailed carving. Printed from 14 blocks in 27 colors.
“Spring” Haru
Shiki Series (Four Seasons)
Woodblock
2005
17 1/2 x 11 1/2 in.
Edition: 100
Condition: Excellent
Price: On Request
“Behind the Hannya Mask” Ura hannya
Woodblock print
2005
36 x 23.5 in.
Edition: 20
Signed and numbered.
Condition: Excellent
Price: On Request
Note that hand-colouring on the tattoo and gold mica on the background. This print is made with and without fundoshi (traditional underwear) in appliqué.
“Utamaro's Erotica” Utamaro no shunga
Edo zumi hyaku shoku series (A Hundred Shades of Ink of Edo)
Medium: Woodblock
Date: 2004
Image size: 15 x 10 1/2 in.
Edition: 100
Condition: Excellent
Price: On Request
“Celadon Censer”
Woodblock print
2004
15.5 x 10.5 in.
Edition: 100
Condition: Excellent
Price: $595
This is the non-tattoo version of the print Yoshitoshi's Ghosts. Replacing the ghostly smoke for a plume of gofun printed in bokashi, the feel of this version is quite different.
“Yoshitoshi's Ghosts” Yoshitoshi no bakemono
Edo Sumi Hyaku Shoku - A hundred shades of ink of Edo
Woodblock print
2004
15.5 x 10.5 in.
Edition: 100
Condition: Excellent
Price: $595
This is Kuniyoshi's pupil, Yoshitoshi, who often made prints of ghosts, and here they are adapted to the tattoos and the smoke from the cense and his seal. The smoke-spirit is printed in white lacquer and a hideous skull-head is formed by the letters of his name.
“Kuniyoshi's Cats” Kuniyoshi no neko
Edo Sumi Hyaku Shoku - A hundred shades of ink of Edo Woodblock print, 2004. 15.5 x 10.5 in. Edition: 100. Condition: Excellent.
Price: $595
The cat tattoos on the model derive from a Kuniyoshi triptych of cats as stages of the Tokaido.
“Autumn” Aki
Shiki Series (Four Seasons)
Woodblock
2004
17 1/2 x 11 1/2 in.
Edition: 100
Condition: Excellent
Price: On Request
“Sleeping Woman” Nemuru onna
Woodblock
2004
12 x 17 1/2 in.
Edition: 100
Condition: Excellent
Price: On Request
“Winter” Fuyu
Shiki Series (Four Seasons)
Woodblock
2003
17 1/2 x 11 1/2 in.
Edition: 100
Condition: Excellent
Price: On Request
“Summer” Natsu
Shiki Series (Four Seasons)
Woodblock
2003
17 1/2 x 11 1/2 in.
Edition: 50
Condition: Excellent
Price: On Request
“Sleeping Boy - Osamu” Osamu / Nemura otoko – Osamu
Woodblock Print
1997
12 x 17 in.
Edition: 20
Signed, dated, numbered and titled.
Condition: Excellent
Price: On Request
“Dragon and Demon” Ryu ni oni
Woodblock print
1997
15 x 10.5 in.
Edition: 100
Signed and numbered.
Condition: Excellent
Price: $595
For this design, Binnie used a model who had the actual tattoo seen in the print. Often he usually creates the tattoo designs on his models, drawing from Ukiyo-e influences, as seen in his Edo zumi hyaku shoku series. In this particular case, the Dragon and Demon tattoo is a real one.
“Candlelight” Rosoku no akari
Kappazuri print
1994
25 x 17 in.
Edition: 30
Signed and numbered.
Condition: Excellent.
Price: On Request
This print was originally conceived as a tattoo print, but in the end, this print focused instead on the light effect on the male torso.
“Maple Leaves” Momiji
Woodblock
1994
Image size: 14.5 x 10 in.
Edition: 50
Signed and numbered at bottom right margin in pencil. Self carved and printed by the artist.
Condition: Excellent
Price: $595, w museum quality frame - $895
Fukei-ga (Landscapes)
“Yomeimon”
Nihon Meisho Zu-e series (Famous Views of Japan)
Woodblock, printed on 100% mulberry washi from Iwate Prefecture in Japan
2011
Print Size: 16 ½ x 12 in.
Image size: 14 ½ x 10 in.
Edition: 100
Signed and numbered, with artist's seal and title at lower left. Employs 27 printings. Night view of Yomeimon (Gate) within the Toshogu Shrines of Nikko, dedicated to the first shoguns of the Tokugawa period.
Condition: Excellent
Price: $595
This is the sixth design in the Famous Views of Japan series. The deep blue palette is similar to Himeji Castle. The print required twenty-seven printings including the blind-printing of the signature on the bottom margin. Yomeimon gate is located within the Toshogu Shrines of Nikko, dedicated to the first Tokugawa shoguns.
“Cloud Shadows, Grand Canyon”
Meishou to no Tabi series (Travels With the Master)
Woodblock
Image Size: 16 x 23 1/2 in.
Edition: 100
2007
Condition: Excellent
Price: unframed - $1,400
“Niagara Falls”
Meishou to no Tabi series (Travels With the Master)
Woodblock
Print size: 26 1/2 x 18 1/2 in. Image size: 23 1/2 x 16 1/2 in.
Edition: 100
2009
Condition: Excellent
Price: $1,400
“Mountain Temple in Yamagata” Yamagata no Yamadera
Nihon meisho zu-e series (Famous Views of Japan)
Woodblock
Image Size: 15 x 10 in.
Edition: 100
2005
Condition: Excellent
Price: unframed - $575, w museum quality frame - $875
“Sankeien Gardens” Sankeien
Nihon meisho zu-e series (Famous Views of Japan)
Woodblock
Image Size: 10 x 15 in.
Edition: 100
2005
Condition: Excellent
Price: unframed - $525, w museum quality frame - $825
“Himeji Castle” Himejijo
Nihon meisho zu-e series (Famous Views of Japan)
Woodblock
Image Size: 10 x 15 in.
Edition: 100
2004
Condition: Excellent
Price: unframed - $525, w museum quality frame - $825
“The Torii Gate at Miyajima” Miyajima no torii
Nihon meisho zu-e series (Famous Views of Japan)
Woodblock
Image Size: 15 x 10 in.
Edition: 100
2003
Condition: Excellent
Price: unframed - $525, w museum quality frame - $825
“Red Lantern” Aka chochin
Woodblock
Image Size: 14 1/2 x 10 in.
Edition: 20
2002
Condition: Excellent
Price: unframed - $625, w museum quality frame - $925
“Snow at Asakusa” Asakusa no yuki
Shitamachi setsugekka series (Snow, Moon and Flowers in Downtown Tokyo)
Woodblock
Image Size: 15 x 10 in.
Edition: 100
1998
Condition: Excellent
Price: unframed - $525, w museum quality frame - $825
“Moon over Shinobazu” Shinobazu no tsuki
Shitamachi setsugekka series (Snow, Moon and Flowers in Downtown Tokyo)
Woodblock
Image Size: 15 x 10 in.
Edition: 100
1998
Price: unframed - $525, w museum quality frame - $825
“Afterglow” Yuyake
Woodblock
4.1 x 16.3 in.
Edition: 40
2009
Self-carved and printed by the artist, signed in pencil on the lower margin, artist’s seal.
Condition: Excellent
Price: $295
“Orchids - Morning” Asa no ran
Woodblock
12 1/2 x 4 in.
Edition: 50
2006
Condition: Excellent
Price: $250
“Orchids - Night” Yoru no ran
Woodblock
12 1/2 x 4 in.
Edition: 50
2006
Condition: Excellent
Price: $250
Kabuki
“Wait a Moment” Shibaraku
Kabuki juhachiban series (The Famous 18 Plays)
Kappazuri stencil print on black washi paper with silver pigment highlighting his hair; signed in the composition, signed and numbered at bottom right margin in red crayon, followed by artist's seal and date seal
17 1/2 x 12 in.
Edition: 80
1994
Condition: Excellent
Price: $525
“The Tweezers” Kenuki
Kabuki juhachiban series (The Famous 18 Plays)
Kappazuri stencil print
1994
Image size: 17.5 x 12 in.
Edition: 80
Signed in the composition, Binnie, signed and numbered at bottom right margin in red crayon, followed by artist's seal bin-ni, and date sealed. Self carved and printed by the artist.
Condition: Excellent
Price: $525
“General Kagekiyo” Kagekiyo
Kabuki juhachiban series (The Famous 18 Plays)
Kappazuri stencil print on black washi paper with silver pigment highlighting his hair; signed in the composition, signed and numbered at bottom right margin in red crayon, followed by artist's seal and date seal
17 1/2 x 12 in.
Edition: 80
1994
Condition: Excellent
Price: $525
“The Hero Sukeroku” Sukeroku
Kabuki juhachiban series (The Famous 18 Plays)
Kappazuri stencil print on black washi paper; signed in the composition, signed and numbered at bottom right margin in red crayon, followed by artist's seal and date seal
17 x 12 in.
Edition: 80
1994
Condition: Excellent
Price: $560
“Benkei in Kanjincho” Kanjincho Benkei
Kabuki juhachiban series (The Famous 18 Plays)
Kappazuri stencil print on black washi paper with highlights in gold and brass pigment; signed in the composition, signed and numbered at bottom margin in red crayon, followed by artist's seal and date seal
17 x 12 in.
Edition: 80
1994
Condition: Excellent
Price: $575
“The Arrowhead” Yanone
Kabuki juhachiban series (The Famous 18 Plays)
Kappazuri stencil print on black washi paper; signed in the composition, signed and numbered at bottom margin in red crayon, followed by artist's seal and date seal
17 x 12 in.
Edition: 80
1994
Condition: Excellent
Price: $525
“The Repelling Hero” Oshimodoshi
Kabuki juhachiban series (The Famous 18 Plays)
Kappazuri stencil print
1994
Image size: 17 x 12 in.
Edition: 80
Signed in the composition, Binnie, signed and numbered at bottom right margin in red crayon, followed by artist's seal bin-ni, and date sealed. Self carved and printed by the artist.
Condition: Excellent
Price: $625
“The Maiden at Dojo Temple” Musume Dojoj
Woodblock
15 x 10 1/2 in.
Edition: 45
1995
Condition: Excellent
Price: $525, w museum quality frame - $795
“Ichikawa Danjuro in Shibaraku” Danjuro Shibaraku
Woodblock
15 x 10 in.
Edition: 100
1996
Condition: Excellent
Price: $495, w museum quality frame - $795
“Ichikawa Danshiro as Benkei” Danshiro - Benkei
Kabuki okubi-e series (Large-head Portraits of Kabuki)
Woodblock
15 x 10 in.
Edition: 100
1996
Condition: Excellent
Price: $495, w museum quality frame - $795
“Nakamura Ganjiro in Sonezaki Shunju” Ganjiro Sonezaki Shinju
Kabuki okubi-e series (Large-head Portraits of Kabuki)
Woodblock
15 x 10 in.
Edition: 100
1996
Condition: Excellent
Price: $625, w museum quality frame - $925
“Hat Dance in Musume Dojoji / Dojoji boshi odori”
Woodblock
1996
Image size: hosoban - 14 x 7 in.
Signed and numbered with red artist’s seal.
Edition: 50
Condition: Excellent
Price: $525
“Nakamura Jakuemon in Fuji Musume” Jakuemon Fuji Musume
Kabuki okubi-e series (Large-head Portraits of Kabuki)
Woodblock
15 x 10 in.
Edition: 100
1997
Condition: Excellent
Price: unframed - $525, w museum quality frame - $825
“Ichikawa Danjuro as Benkei in Kanjincho” Danjuro - Benkei
Heisei yokusha o-kagami series (A Great Mirror of the Actors of the Heisei Period)
Woodblock
15 x 10 in.
Edition: 100
1997
Condition: Excellent
Price: unframed - $495, w museum quality frame - $795
“Bando Tamasaburo in The Heron Maiden” Tamasaburo Sagi Musume
Heisei yokusha o-kagami series (A Great Mirror of the Actors of the Heisei Period)
Woodblock
15 x 10 in.
Edition: 100
1997
Condition: Excellent
Price: unframed - $495, w museum quality frame - $795
“Narikomaya no mudagaki”
Kabuki actor cartoon
Woodblock
9.4 x 10.6 in.
Edition: 35
2008
Self-carved and printed by the artist, signed in pencil on the lower margin, artist’s seal. The print's title is based on a famous series of kabuki actor cartoons by Utagawa Kuniyoshi: Nitakaragurakabe no mudagaki - Scribblings on a storehouse wall, made in 1847.
Condition: Excellent
Price: $295
Publications

“Paul Binnie: A Dialogue with the Past”
The First 100 Japanese Prints
Eric van den Ing
Price: $49.00
In this ground breaking book the career and work of contemporary woodblock print artist Paul Binnie (b.1967) is presented. Binnie’s complete Japanese prints are illustrated in colour and many other reference photographs are provided as well, ensuring that the reader is given an insight into his working methods and his sources of inspiration. The in-depth essay provide the context of the more than 100 prints Binnie has made to date. An indispensable book for all those interested in 20th century Japanese woodblock prints and the very newest prints being created today.
Currency conversions available at xe.com.
Contact the Gallery to inquire about purchasing works by Paul Binnie; please include the title and artist’s name.
Carol Jessen