Gauntlet Gallery — Takashi Murakami Print Index
I've Left My Love Far Behind. Their Smell, Every Momento (First Edition)
Summary
"I've Left My Love Far Behind. Their Smell, Every Momento (First Edition)" is a 2010 offset lithograph by Takashi Murakami, printed in colors on smooth wove paper and published by his own studio, Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. Issued in an edition of 300, signed and numbered in the lower right, the print carries Murakami's signature Superflat visual language into a titled, narrative register that reads as bittersweet rather than purely cheerful.
Why It Matters
The evocative, almost literary title marks this work as more than decoration — it folds melancholy and memory into Murakami's typically buoyant idiom, a tension central to his practice. Produced through Kaikai Kiki, the artist's own company, it reflects his blurring of studio, gallery, and factory. At an edition of 300 with hand-signature and numbering, it sits in the accessible tier of his print output while retaining direct authorial authentication.
Collector Perspective
For collectors, the appeal is a Murakami editioned lithograph that is fully signed and numbered on the recto, with clear Kaikai Kiki publication — the standard authentication chain for his prints. The 66.4 x 47.5 cm sheet is a comfortable framing size. The "First Edition" designation and evocative title give it identity beyond a purely graphic multiple, though as one of 300 it should be assessed on condition, margins, and freshness of color rather than assumed rarity.
Historical Context
By 2010, Murakami was firmly established internationally, having staged his Versailles retrospective the same year and long since codified his Superflat theory linking Japanese pictorial flatness, otaku culture, and post-war consumerism. His Kaikai Kiki operation produced editioned prints alongside paintings and sculpture, extending his imagery to a broader audience. This work belongs to that mature, self-published phase where accessible multiples underpinned his global brand.
FAQ
Is this print signed and numbered?
Yes. Per the source description, it is signed and numbered by Takashi Murakami in the lower right, on the recto (front) of the sheet.
How large is the edition?
The edition is 300. Sheet dimensions are 66.4 x 47.5 cm (roughly 26.1 x 18.7 in), an offset lithograph printed in colors on smooth wove paper.
Who published it?
It was published by Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd., Murakami's own studio and company, which produces and distributes his editioned prints and other works.
What does the 'First Edition' designation mean?
It identifies this as the first-edition printing of the titled 2010 work. As always with editioned prints, verify signature, numbering, and condition against the specific example before purchase.
About the Artist
Takashi Murakami (b. 1962, Tokyo) is one of the most influential artists of the postwar era, credited with dissolving the boundary between fine art and popular culture. Trained in Nihonga, the tradition of Japanese painting, he earned a PhD from the Tokyo University of the Arts before formulating Superflat — a theory connecting the flattened perspective of Edo-period painting to the visual language of anime, manga, and consumer culture. Through his studio and company Kaikai Kiki, Murakami has produced paintings, sculpture, film, and a vast catalogue of prints populated by recurring characters such as Mr. DOB, his smiling flowers, and the mascots Kaikai and Kiki. His high-profile collaborations — with Louis Vuitton, Kanye West, and others — helped define the modern intersection of art, fashion, and streetwear.
Collecting Takashi Murakami at Gauntlet Gallery
Where can I buy authentic Takashi Murakami prints?
Gauntlet Gallery sources Murakami prints and editions through established secondary-market channels and vets each piece for authenticity and condition before listing.
How are Murakami prints authenticated?
Most Kaikai Kiki editions are numbered and accompanied by documentation. We verify edition details, publisher, and condition, and note any certificates or stamps present on the individual piece.
What drives value in a Murakami print?
Edition size, character (flowers, Mr. DOB, and Kaikai/Kiki motifs are especially sought), production quality (silkscreen and cold-stamp finishes over plain offset), condition, and any collaboration or exhibition tie-in all influence collector demand.