[Art Print] Kawase Hasui - Yugeshima, Izu

*Framing Options: Museum-grade professional framing. This meticulous process requires time, so please allow 2-3 weeks for orders with framing. *Unframed Print Only: Ships within 3-5 business days. Art Printing: Made in Taiwan. Handcrafted Framing: Made in Taiwan. --- Print Sizes: Small: 30 x 42 cm Medium: 50 x 72 cm Large: 60 x 86 cm *For other sizes, please contact us for a consultation. --- Print Medium: Art Print Giclée on Etching Art Paper --- Hanging Method: Aluminum frames come with a steel wire on the back. You can use a 3M Command Hook (please choose a version rated for 5kg or more for safety) to hang it on the wall. *The original artwork is a woodblock print, so the brushstrokes will appear more rugged. https://image-cdn-flare.qdm.cloud/q665027dd6a3a4/image/data/2025/08/28/5165ed8f310ad3a3ccafb780f1a557b1.jpg Kawase Hasui (1883–1957) is one of Japan's most important modern Shin-hanga (New Print) artists, hailed as 'Hiroshige of the Showa era.' Born in Tokyo, he initially studied Western painting before turning to traditional Japanese art under Kiyokata Kaburagi. Inspired by his fellow student Shinsui Ito's work in 1918, Hasui dedicated himself to the Shin-hanga movement and collaborated with the renowned publisher Watanabe Shozaburo, embarking on a decades-long creative journey. Hasui's oeuvre primarily features landscape prints. He masterfully captured the subtle shifts in light and shadow across the seasons, transforming Japan's natural scenery and urban landscapes into poetic imagery. His compositions often evoke a serene atmosphere, frequently depicting dusk, night, rain, or snow. With few or no figures, his works invite viewers to immerse themselves in the pure scenery, experiencing a sense of solitary yet romantic sentiment. This unique aesthetic made his art highly popular both domestically and internationally, earning him the moniker 'painter of travel.' Technically, Hasui blended the traditions of Ukiyo-e with the light and shadow techniques of Western Impressionism. He not only continued the meticulous carving and color layering of woodblock printing but also skillfully employed the 'bokashi' (gradation) technique, creating soft, watercolor-like effects. This required exceptional coordination between the carver and printer. Compared to the flat colors of Edo-period Ukiyo-e, Hasui's prints possess a painterly quality, showcasing the innovative spirit of Shin-hanga. Throughout his life, Kawase Hasui created approximately 620 woodblock prints, including significant series like 'Twelve Scenes of Tokyo,' 'Collection of Japanese Landscapes,' and 'Twenty Views of Tokyo.' His works not only document the urban and rural landscapes of Japan's Taisho and Showa eras but also resonated widely on the international stage. In 1956, he was designated a 'Living National Treasure' for his outstanding contributions to Japanese art. He passed away the following year at the age of 74. Today, Kawase Hasui's prints are held in the collections of major museums worldwide, including the British Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. His artistic achievements symbolize the fusion of Japanese tradition and modernity, preserving the romantic imagery of Japanese landscapes while showcasing the infinite charm of woodblock printing in the modern era. "Actual Photo Shoot of Japanese Antique Print Series Output" https://image-cdn-flare.qdm.cloud/q665027dd6a3a4/image/data/2025/08/20/a191786d3ceaccd20409091993920a1f.jpg Understanding Japanese Woodblock Prints: Production Process and Roles 1️⃣ Artist (絵師, Eschi) Responsible for creating the original draft (下絵). Provides overall composition, character, and landscape design. Example: Hokusai Katsushika, Hiroshige Utagawa, Hasui Kawase. 2️⃣ Publisher (版元, Hanmoto) The core of the team, akin to a 'producer + distributor.' Finances and plans the artwork, deciding on themes and collaborating with artists. Hires carvers and printers, overseeing progress and quality. Responsible for sales and promotion, determining print runs. Example: Watanabe Shozaburo during the Shin-hanga movement. 3️⃣ Carver (彫師, Hōshi) Transfers the artist's draft onto wooden blocks. Each color requires a separate wooden block. Requires extremely high precision, accurate to the millimeter, to prevent color misregistration. 4️⃣ Printer (摺師, Surishi) Uses the wooden blocks and pigments to print the image layer by layer onto Japanese paper. Responsible for color intensity, gradation (ぼかし), and light/shadow effects. The skill level directly impacts the final appearance of the artwork. https://image-cdn-flare.qdm.cloud/q665027dd6a3a4/image/data/2023/07/11/4b853563c2267abe4f46e392cf820e6b.jpg https://image-cdn-flare.qdm.cloud/q665027dd6a3a4/image/data/2022/04/12/c6d34fbc231337ab8da27935ab4f31db.jpg https://image-cdn-flare.qdm.cloud/q665027dd6a3a4/image/data/2022/01/14/1134fa6cd7cfbb6ffc6c2529c9f80d92.jpg https://image-cdn-flare.qdm.cloud/q665027dd6a3a4/image/data/2022/01/14/1aa39bffc4d2ad4f72254a345e4e294e.jpg https://image-cdn-flare.qdm.cloud/q665027dd6a3a4/image/data/2023/10/26/b011dd717f432dd262c032f1f02f4f8f.jpg