【Art Print】Kawase Hasui - Kasuga Shrine in Nara

*Framing Option: Museum-grade professional framing. This meticulous process takes 2-3 weeks. Thank you for your patience. *Unframed Print Only: Ships in 3-5 business days. Art Micro-spraying: 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 Details: Art Micro-spraying (Giclée) on Etching Art Paper --- Hanging Method: Aluminum frames come with a wire on the back. You can use a 3M Command Hook (ensure it's rated for 5kg or more for safety) to hang it on your wall. *The original artwork is a woodblock print, so the brushstrokes will appear bold and rustic. https://image-cdn-flare.qdm.cloud/q665027dd6a3a4/image/data/2025/08/28/7fff78be622d436d9a423eb5ca9cd184.jpg Kawase Hasui (1883–1957) is one of Japan's most important modern Shin-hanga (new prints) artists, hailed as "Hiroshige of the Showa era." Born in Shiba Ward, Tokyo, he initially studied Western painting before turning to traditional Japanese art, becoming a disciple of Kiyokata Kaburagi. In 1918, inspired by his fellow student Shinsui Ito, Hasui began dedicating himself to the Shin-hanga movement. He collaborated with the renowned publisher Shōzaburō Watanabe, embarking on a creative career that spanned decades. Hasui's work primarily consists of landscape prints. He excelled at capturing the subtle shifts in light and shadow across the seasons, transforming the natural scenery and urban landscapes of Japan into poetic imagery. His compositions often evoke a tranquil atmosphere, frequently depicting dusk, night, rain, or snow. Figures are sparse or absent, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the pure scenery and experience a sense of solitary, romantic sentiment. This unique aesthetic made his work highly popular both domestically and internationally during his time, earning him the moniker "Travelogue Painter." In terms of technique, Hasui blended the traditions of Ukiyo-e with the light and shadow treatment of Western Impressionism. He not only continued the meticulous carving and color layering of woodblock printing but also skillfully employed the "bokashi" (gradual shading) technique, creating soft, watercolor-like effects in his prints. This required a high degree of coordination between the carver and printer. Compared to the flat colors of Edo-period Ukiyo-e, Hasui's works possess a more painterly quality, showcasing the innovative spirit of Shin-hanga. Kawase Hasui created approximately 620 woodblock prints throughout his life, including significant series such as "Twelve Views of Tokyo," "Collection of Japanese Landscapes," and "Twenty Views of Tokyo." His works not only document the appearance of Japanese cities and countryside during the 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 boundless charm of woodblock printing in the modern era. "Actual 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 drawing (下絵). Provides overall composition, figures, and landscape design. Example: Hokusai Katsushika, Hiroshige Utagawa, Kawase Hasui. 2️⃣ Publisher (版元, Hanmoto) The core of the team, similar to a "producer + distributor." Finances and plans the work, deciding on themes and collaborating with artists. Hires carvers and printers, overseeing progress and quality. Responsible for sales and promotion, determining print runs. Example: Shōzaburō Watanabe during the Shin-hanga movement. 3️⃣ Carver (彫師, Hōshi) Transfers the artist's drawing onto woodblocks. Each color requires a dedicated woodblock. Requires extremely high precision, down to the millimeter, to prevent color misregistration. 4️⃣ Printer (摺師, Surishi) Uses the woodblocks and pigments to print the image layer by layer onto Japanese paper (和紙). Responsible for color intensity, shading (ぼかし), and light effects. The skill level directly impacts the final appearance of the print. 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