Kawase Hasui (1883-1957) was one of the most significant Japanese woodblock artists of the 20th Century. Designing around six hundred compositions over the course of his career, Hasui was a highly prolific and tremendously distinguished artist of the Shin Hanga—New Prints—art movement.

Kawase Hasui "Tokaido Nissaka" Print — Lot # 1164: *Kawase Hasui, Tokaido Nissaka*

Known for his realistic and impressionistic approach to printmaking—and with a meticulous attention to detail—Hasui’s woodblock prints continue to be highly valued by private collectors and appreciated by enthusiasts around the world. His prints are celebrated for their unrivaled beauty, technical mastery, and powerful evocation of the Japanese landscape.

On offer during our Japanese Art and Antiques Auction is an exquisite oban yoko-e print, and a highly refined composition by Shin Hanga master Hasui that captures the atmosphere of Nissaka in the rain. Titled along the left margin is Tokaido, Nissaka (Nissaka on the Tokaido) with an image depicting a woman carrying a child on her back, walking along a cobbled street, with a dog sitting in line of sight.

Evoking movement and mood through atmospheric effects and with exceptional attention to detail—particularly with regards to reflection, shading and lighting—many of the artist’s most famous and evocative block prints such as Zojo-ji Temple in Shiba and Honmon Temple in Ikegami, feature realistic, highly detailed images of historic Japanese landscapes.

Lot # 1164 exemplifies a repeat mastery capturing not only atmospheric effects with rain, but also perspecitive through the use of light and reflection, and clearly illustrates why Hasui is widely regarded as one of the most important Japanese landscape artists. The print is characterized by a serenity of mood and ambience, and is executed in a flawless composition to be appreciated by both enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.

KAWASE HASUI Tokaido Nissaka (Nissaka on Tokaido Road). — Detail of Lot # 1164:
Signed by Artist in Japanese with red seal in lower left.

Showa 17 (1942) in lower left margin — Detail of Lot # 1164: Showa 17 (1942) in left margin.

From the series Tokaido fukei senshu (Selected Views of the Tokaido), and dated Showa jushichinen saku (Work of Showa 17, 1942) bottom lower left margin, this edition is likely a post-war print. Written with pencil in English is the Artist name and Title, and also the description with date on verso, likely written by the original seller. Published by Watanabe Shozaburo, with a round Watanabe seal at the bottom right corner with a 6mm diameter, suggesting a lifetime edition.

Hasui began creating landscape compositions for the print publisher Watanabe in 1918, and together the pair embarked on a partnership that would span more than forty years. The making of the Shin Hanga movement was a collaboration between artist, block carver, printer, and publisher. This partnership between Hasui and Watanabe culminated in striking representations of Japanese landscapes that were circulated globally.

When contemplating Tokaido Nissaka the work is a reminder that you are not simply viewing a print. You are experiencing a moment of time published by the Japanese print publisher that was the driving force behind the Japanese printmaking Shin Hanga movement; and captured by a technically accomplished artist whose creative vision resonates so deeply, that his work has graced galleries and museums and searched by collectors far and wide. Hasui’s work has been exhibited widely throughout Japan, as well as internationally, establishing his reputation as one of the most talented modern Japanese artists in history.

For a similar impression in the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession number 59.546:

https://collections.mfa.org/objects/260785

To own a Japanese landscape print from Hasui’s distinguished body of work—and notably from the catalog of Watanabe—is not only an opportunity to acquire an exquisite Japanese woodblock print, but an opportunity to actively connect with the past and a pivotal and mystical figure whose imagery continues to captivate.

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