Poster for the 2nd Takehisa Yumeji Lyric Painting Exhibition (竹久夢二抒情画展覧会)
Date
Credits
- Takehisa Yumeji 11 Designer
Media
- paper 2214
Techniques
- printing 969
Dimensions
Links
Long before "graphic designer" became a common job in Japan, Yumeji Takehisa (1884–1934) was shaping the visual culture of the Taisho era. This striking 1918 poster was created for his solo exhibition, held at the Kyoto Prefectural Library in Okazaki Park.
What makes this piece so captivating isn't just the stylized illustration, but Yumeji’s incredible hand-lettering. Look closely at the typography for "竹久夢二 抒情画展覧会", it flows with this organic, almost liquid rhythm that perfectly captures the "Taisho Roman" romantic aesthetic. It’s a brilliant example of early 20th-century Japanese commercial art where illustration and typography blend into a singular, poetic vibe.
This particular print survived the decades and lives in the Kyoto National Museum of Modern Art.
