Moonlit Sea Prints — Attraction in Easthampton

A few years back I purchased privately two prints of Hokusai 36 Views of Fugi but knew absolutely nothing about them and in my area there is no one who could tell me if these were real, fakes or reproductions. So I let it go and hung them on the wall until I had a couple of friends comment that they would be interested in them and that is when I jumped into action to find out more about them. As I read more about Hokusai and his style of art, I wondered it these were indeed Block prints or just Laser Prints. I could not find anyone in my area so I entered into the expanse of the internet and found a site called "" Moonlit Sea Prints "" that dealt with Japanese prints and I thought this might be the place. So I sat down and wrote an Email to them and was very happy to receive an Email in return the next day from David Kutcher who told me a few things to look for in these prints. I sent back some picks of the prints and after a few more back and forth Emails I sent some pics that were the revealing to him that these were indeed Block Prints, albeit not from the 18th century but modern and great to hear that news. From this experience with David and his patience to help me along on what to look for, these prints might still be on the wall and I would not have been informed. This was a great lesson in the identification of block prints and would not have been possible it David did not take the time for my emails. From this I would say to that David has a wealth of knowledge and his expertise would be a great asset in helping you with your needs. Again I say a very big thank you to David. Don't forget the beautiful prints he has for sale as they would be an excellent addition to dress up your...

First review: Thank you for this email. I have reviewed the collection and have to express my disappointment in what you are selling. Basically, apart from a few basic prints by Saito Kiyoshi, you limit yourself to what I call the "pretty" prints of the shin-hanga or the old ukiyoe style. Unfortunately, there is nothing I saw from the contemporary prints of the sosaku hanga movement in the years afterwards. In short, there is nothing that would interest me. Nevertheless I wish to continue to receive your email with the hope that if you can acknowledge Saito's art, then maybe there is hope that one day you will bring the more challenging, stimulating and ultimately satisfying sosaku hanga prints into your portfolio as well.

Second review: I recently bought a print by Junichiro Sekino because I have long wanted a good print by him. My Japanese print collection is 90 per cent contemporary sosaku hanga ("creative prints") of the 20th and 21st centuries. I have many of the well known names--Hiratsuka, Mori, Ay-O, Saito, Shinoda, et al--and also some less familiar recent names. When Moonlit Sea Prints showed me a newly acquired print I very much liked it, but chose not to get it because it had no date or title, two requirements I have long required. But it did have a number and signature. After investigation, I decided to get it and very glad I did. The quality of the printing is excellent, and the imagery of the leaves, water and stonework--taking advantage of the wood grain of the medium--is exceptional. The print was shipped to me in a hard tube and arrived without a problem. I look forward to seeing more such prints from...

Sail Boat Under the Moon Lights LaHarpe, Kansas – 1950’s I stumbled across this image on the Moonlit Sea Prints site today. The same print hung on the wall in our living room when I was a kid. Must have been a wedding present to my parents. I often stared at the framed image as I was sitting under it at the desk. It transfixed me. I imagined that the moon and clouds were an F-80 fighter jet flying overhead…the moon was the vertical stabilizer and that little cloud jag at the end was a fuel drop tank. And the hapless boat and skipper…bombs awaaaayyy! I know, I know...my imagination! After my dad passed away and Mom had an estate sale, the print was sold to an unknown buyer. When I came back from my Air Force assignment in California on leave to visit, the absence of that sailboat print...well, it crushed me. I’ve searched in antique and secondhand shops for over 40 years now, but with no knowledge of the author or title…no luck. But now, after learning the title (Sail Boat Under the Moon Lights) and author (Yoshimoto Gesso), I searched for it tonight on the internet and found it. Ordered it and was just plain delighted when it arrived! I will take it to a frame...