Kon phi ra-san (Kotohira-gu shrine)

Denji Noma

An extraordinary large-format aquatint in bold colors, created by Japanese printmaker Denji Noma -- an artist who, despite a prolific career, remains somewhat difficult to research.

It is known that Noma worked at Stanley William Hayter's Atelier 17 in Paris in the 1960s and managed Boston-based Impressions Workshop from 1964-'65. He exhibited internationally and work is found in collections throughout the world. Yet, his trajectory remains a mystery to us. In this vibrant piece, however, we see the work of an artist who not only showed profound mastery of a difficult medium, but one who took joy in the process. On the surface of a sizable matrix Noma has achieved precise form and layered colors with subtlety of texture, and done so with ease.

The Japanese titling appears to translate to "Kotohira-gu", also known as "Konpira-san", as written in the Roman alphabet beside the Japanese characters. This is in reference to the 1st century Shinto temple and its deity, O-mono-nushi-no-mikoto, which serve as the shrine and patron of sailors and seafaring in Kagawa, Japan.