Photo/Illutration A building in Tokyo’s Chuo Ward housing the Contemporary Graphic Art Dealers Association of Japan. One former member of the association is accused of having sold forged “hanga” prints of Japanese-style paintings. This photo was taken on Feb. 8. (Shingo Tsuru)

Forged “hanga” prints of works by renowned nihonga Japanese-style painters, including Ikuo Hirayama (1930-2009), have been hitting the market recently, a group of art dealers reported on Feb. 8.

A male art dealer in Osaka Prefecture allegedly sold forged prints of 10 works painted by three artists, according to the Contemporary Graphic Art Dealers Association of Japan. The association plans to investigate the matter by asking experts to verify the authenticity of the items in question.

Tokyo’s Metropolitan Police Department also began investigating the case on suspicion of violating the Copyright Law after it was contacted by people concerned about the matter.

Hanga prints of paintings are made in a limited number only after gaining consent from painters or their families. Painters or authorized artisans create printing blocks made of stone or copper and the printed works carry painters’ signatures or marks to attest to their authenticity, according to sources in the industry.

Unlike expensive original paintings, such prints start at the minimum price of several hundreds of thousand yen ($950 or more), catering to the needs of a certain customer base, the sources said.

Forged prints of 10 paintings by Ikuo Hirayama, Kaii Higashiyama (1908-1999) and Tamako Kataoka (1905-2008) have been confirmed to be offered on the market, according to the association.

After learning that so many hanga prints were sold, the association began an investigation last summer and found works whose colors and signatures differ from those of authentic prints.

A man who runs an art gallery in Osaka’s Kita Ward was selling the works in question. He admitted to offering forged prints, the association said. The association expelled the man from its membership at the end of last year.

The association will set up an investigatory committee and ask an expert organization to examine the authenticity of the items suspected of being forged. It also plans to investigate whether there are any other forged works.

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