"Still possibly post-war"

Email received February 1, 2004


Hi Marc,

I enjoyed your article re: age/dating of the Doi Hanganten seal. I think it's possible that the offset seal may have been used earlier but I have some observations to offer that should be weighed into the argument.

There have been several instances of missing Sadaichi prints eventually identified and showing up so I think there are still opportunities for others to show up.

Many prints were probably destroyed during the war. The fire storms did tremendous damage to the entire collection. I also think that the foreign market for Japanese woodblock prints were greatly affected by the war and as a result, it's quite likely that fewer prints were published during that time frame. Coupled with the likely loss of whatever inventory existed, I think it's still possible that the offset prints could be post-war.

Don Rothenbaum


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