Eikoh Hosoe: Kimono, Limited Edition Portfolio of 3 Signed Free Standing Prints

This portfolio, also known as “Tales of Shunkin Portfolio”, was released in 2000 by the Limited Edition Club, New York, as a separate portfolio of signed prints that appeared unsigned in their publication of the same year, “Portrait of Shunkin”. The “Kimono” series was photographed by Eikoh Hosoe in 1963. There are very few photographs from this series that were ever released to the public. Although it is common now to see a very expressive woman wearing a kimono, back then there were numerous rules on posture and demeanor to be followed by women wearing a kimono. Models were treated as dress-up dolls. Hosoe decided to break the rules and focus on the mind-set of the woman rather than focusing on the kimono itself. There were a total of 6 photographs taken by Hosoe and this portfolio contains 3 of those photographs. They are:

Kimono No. 2, 1963, The Night of a Newly Married Bride

Kimono No. 4, 1963, Hard Times of Marriage

Kimono No. 6, 1963, Widow in Mourning at the Funeral

The portfolio consists of these 3 hand-pulled photogravures on Rives BFK paper that were made by Jon Goodman from the original negatives. Each print is signed and numbered 14 of 62 by Eikoh Hosoe in pencil below the image. The images measure approximately 9” x 5.5” on paper that measures 15” x 11.5” and are loose as issued in the original publisher's silk box. Each print is suitable for framing. The photographs are in FINE condition. The silk box is in Near FINE condition with a rub to the top right corner.

Photographs of the portfolio box and the images contained in the portfolio appear in the photo section of the listing.