Kawase Hasui - Born in Tokyo in 1883, this great master of the twentieth-century shin-hanga (new prints) school spent most of his adult life as a woodblock printmaker. Unlike earlier ukiyo-e artists whose landscapes typically featured famous sites, Hasui was one of the first artists to record the unknown rural places and urban corners that he found so captivating. He traveled often and recorded the scenic wonders of Japan with drawings and watercolor paintings, which became the basis for many of his prints.
In the face of rapid modernization during the twentieth century, Hasui's prints evoke a sense of nostalgia for old Japan and a respect for traditional culture. His romanticized views emphasize the beauty of the natural landscape; figures are absent or often small and insignificant in comparison. His talent for capturing a mood, illustrating a scene, and drawing the viewer into the image makes for some of the most appealing Japanese woodblocks ever created. Hasui was known for his spectacular snow, rain and night scenes. These wonderful atmospheric landscapes are among his best work.
A prolific artist, Hasui created about six hundred woodblock print designs during his long career, the majority of them for publisher Watanabe Shozaburo. In 1953 the Japanese government bestowed its greatest artistic honor on him by commissioning a print, Snow at Zozoji Temple, and designating it as an Intangible Cultural Treasure.
Comments - Beautiful winter landscape depicting Inokashira Benten Shrine under falling snow. The red building sits along the edge of a pond, reflected in the blue water, dry reeds lining the shore. Snow-covered trees fill the background in tones of white and gray, the edges lightly embossed, with more distant trees at right in silhouette against the wintry sky. Beautiful handling of the shimmering surface of the pond and the foliage, which adds a sense of depth. A lovely scene.
Signed - Hasui with red artist's seal "Kawase"
Publisher - Kawaguchi, later edition from original blocks
Artist - Hasui (1883 - 1957)
Image Size - 9 1/4" x 14 1/4" + margins as shown
Condition - Excellent overall with no issues to report.
