RARE Kawase Hasui Okayama Bell Tower Japanese Woodblock Print Rain Asian Art
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:786270 | Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan |
For sale is an original Kawase Hasui Woodblock print ca. 1947 entitled "Okayama Bell Tower".It is in superb condition, with crisp and clear colors. As far as the image goes, I would rate it 8.5-9/10.It is adhered to a mat board. And after testing it out, the glue seems to be water-based meaning, if desired, with some careful work, the print can be removed from the board.Given the lack of discoloration in the paper, my guess is that the mat board is archival grade, and chemically stable..., this means that the print could be left on the board without any adverse affects.The print measures 10.5" x 15.5"
here's some info about the artist:
Born Bunjiro Kawase in Tokyo, Hasui Kawase was the son of silkbraid merchant. He began his artistic career studying painting, Japanese-style with Kiyokata, as well as Western-style at the Hakubakai. His talent was clear, exhibiting in the Tatsumi Exhibition of Painting at age 19. However, soon after seeing Shinsui’s series Eight Views of Lake Biwa, Hasui turned his attention to woodblock printing in 1919. Watanabe was the first to recognize his artistic genius, and Hasui Kawase soon became the most popular artist working for this prestigious publisher. Hasui traveled widely in Japan and his subjects are most frequently landscape themes. The prints are based upon small, quick sketches and watercolors taken from nature. Unfortunately, during the earthquake of 1923, all of his woodblocks and over 200 sketches were destroyed. The works that predate this event are extremely scarce and in great demand today. Undaunted, Hasui continued to produce his landscape prints. In 1956, the Japanese government’s Committee for the Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage designated Zojo Temple in Snow and the documentation of its production as Intangible Cultural Treasures, the greatest artistic honor in postwar Japan. All of his prints are signed “Hasui” usually with a variety of red seals reading “sui.” Though Watanabe published the majority of Hasui’s prints, Doi, Kawaguchi, Sakai and others published some as well. Regarded as a major Japanese landscape artist of the 20th century, Hasui’s prints are characterized by their serenity of mood and flawless composition. While his landscapes are markedly modern, these shin hanga prints yearn for a Japan past. The finest prints and drawings of this period have a unique and immediate appeal that rests upon traditional virtues of delicacy, poise and restraint.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask!Thanks!
here's some info about the artist:
Born Bunjiro Kawase in Tokyo, Hasui Kawase was the son of silkbraid merchant. He began his artistic career studying painting, Japanese-style with Kiyokata, as well as Western-style at the Hakubakai. His talent was clear, exhibiting in the Tatsumi Exhibition of Painting at age 19. However, soon after seeing Shinsui’s series Eight Views of Lake Biwa, Hasui turned his attention to woodblock printing in 1919. Watanabe was the first to recognize his artistic genius, and Hasui Kawase soon became the most popular artist working for this prestigious publisher. Hasui traveled widely in Japan and his subjects are most frequently landscape themes. The prints are based upon small, quick sketches and watercolors taken from nature. Unfortunately, during the earthquake of 1923, all of his woodblocks and over 200 sketches were destroyed. The works that predate this event are extremely scarce and in great demand today. Undaunted, Hasui continued to produce his landscape prints. In 1956, the Japanese government’s Committee for the Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage designated Zojo Temple in Snow and the documentation of its production as Intangible Cultural Treasures, the greatest artistic honor in postwar Japan. All of his prints are signed “Hasui” usually with a variety of red seals reading “sui.” Though Watanabe published the majority of Hasui’s prints, Doi, Kawaguchi, Sakai and others published some as well. Regarded as a major Japanese landscape artist of the 20th century, Hasui’s prints are characterized by their serenity of mood and flawless composition. While his landscapes are markedly modern, these shin hanga prints yearn for a Japan past. The finest prints and drawings of this period have a unique and immediate appeal that rests upon traditional virtues of delicacy, poise and restraint.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask!Thanks!
