[Art Print] Kasamatsu Shirō - Lake Ashi, Hakone Departure

*Framing Options: Professional museum-grade framing. This meticulous process requires time, so please allow 2-3 weeks for your order. *Unframed Print: Ships within 3-5 business days. Art Prints: 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 custom consultation. --- Medium: Art Prints on Etching Paper --- Hanging Method: Frames come with a wire on the back. You can use 3M Command Strips (ensure they are rated for 5kg or more for safety) to hang them 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/2025/08/18/f1ad365ce0738aff888576aa6a808250.jpg Kasumatsu Shirō Kasumatsu Shirō (1898–1991) was a renowned Japanese woodblock print artist whose career spanned and bridged two major print movements: Shin-hanga and Sōsaku-hanga. Kasumatsu is celebrated for his evocative landscapes and cityscapes, blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern artistic sensibilities. His artistic journey reflects both a dedication to craftsmanship and an evolving vision, capturing the transformative spirit of Japanese art history. Born in Asakusa, Tokyo, Kasumatsu displayed artistic talent from a young age. He initially studied under the master nihonga painter Kaburagi Kiyokata, gaining a deep understanding of traditional Japanese aesthetics and techniques, which significantly influenced his early woodblock style. Kiyokata later introduced him to Watanabe Shōzaburō, a key publisher in the Shin-hanga movement. This collaboration led to many of Kasumatsu's classic works, including woodblock prints depicting serene landscapes and daily Japanese life that resonated with audiences both domestically and internationally. During his Shin-hanga period, Kasumatsu primarily worked as a designer, with skilled artisans handling the carving and printing. His designs featured intricate compositions and delicate atmospheres, often focusing on tranquil rural scenes, the changing seasons, and traditional architecture, capturing the beauty and nostalgia of the Japanese countryside. His masterful control of color gradients and lines exemplified the craftsmanship and collaborative spirit inherent in Japanese printmaking culture. However, by the 1950s, he began to feel constrained by this collaborative model and sought greater artistic autonomy. This pursuit of independence led him to embrace the Sōsaku-hanga movement. This movement emphasized the artist's direct involvement in all stages—design, carving, and printing—allowing Kasumatsu to experiment with new techniques and subjects, creating works with a more personal style and expressive power. While he continued to favor landscapes and traditional themes, his style became bolder and more abstract, influenced by modern art movements and deepening his exploration of texture and color. Kasumatsu's mastery across both Shin-hanga and Sōsaku-hanga makes him one of the few artists to successfully navigate these two distinct currents. In the Shin-hanga realm, his works are noted for their exquisite technique and lyrical beauty; in the Sōsaku-hanga field, they are acclaimed for their uniqueness and innovation. Through these dual achievements, Kasumatsu Shirō secured his significant place in the history of 20th-century Japanese printmaking. "Actual Photography of Japanese Antique Prints Series" 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 sketch (下絵). Provides the overall composition, character, and landscape designs. Example: Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige, Kawase Hasui. 2️⃣ Publisher (版元, Hanmoto) The core of the team, akin to a "producer + distributor." Funds and plans the project, 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 Shōzaburō during the Shin-hanga movement. 3️⃣ Carver (彫師, Hōshi) Transfers the artist's sketch onto woodblocks. Each color requires a separate woodblock. Requires extremely high precision, down to the millimeter, to ensure accurate color registration. 4️⃣ Printer (摺師, Surishi) Uses the woodblocks and pigments to print the image layer by layer onto Japanese paper (washi). Responsible for nuanced color tones, gradations (ぼかし), and light/shadow effects. The skill level directly impacts the final artwork's presentation. 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