Hasui Kawase
(1883-1957)
"Fudo Temple in Meguro" from the "One Hundred Views of New Tokyo Series," 1931
Woodcut in colors on paper
Signed lower left: Hasui; with the Sui red ink stamp; Watanabe Shozaburo, pub.
Sight: 14.375" H x 9.5" W
Other Notes: Recognized as one of Japan's "Living National Treasures," Hasui Kawase was one of the most accomplished and prolific of the "new" ukiyo-e print movement in 20th century Japan. Hasui developed a love of artmaking from a young age, studying traditional woodcut printing and brush painting. After the family business went bankrupt when Hasui was 26, he began to pursue artmaking as a profession. Hasui was encouraged to study Western-art making techniques, and began searching for a publisher in the early decades of the 20th century. Hasui found an admirer in publisher Shozaburo Watanabe and Hasui would go on to create more than 600 prints in his lifetime.

Hasui's work stands apart from other ukiyo-e artists in his blending of Japanese and Western artistic practices, combining bold and dramatic colors to Western-influenced use of perspective and compositions. Often straying from depicting well-known locations around Japan, his work capture a nation in transition - finding the less known and obscure parts of a Japan that was disappearing during the 20th century.

Detailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at fineart@johnmoran.com. The absence of a condition statement does not mean that the lot is in perfect condition. Any condition report requests within 24 hours of the sale will be answered upon availability.

Framed under glass: 23.75" H x 17.25" W x 0.75" D Condition reports are offered as a courtesy and are typically published in Moran's catalogue or can be made available upon request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of others. Buyers are responsible for determining to their own satisfaction the true nature and condition of any lot prior to bidding. Though buyers are not legally required to inspect lots prior to purchase, failure to do so may constitute a waiver of complaint that an item was not delivered in a condition equal to the existent condition at the auction.