[Art Print] Kawase Hasui - Road in Sunlight, 1931

*Framing Options: Museum-grade professional framing. This meticulous process takes 2-3 weeks. Thank you for your patience. *Unframed Print: Ships in 3-5 business days. Fine 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: Fine Art Giclée on Etching Paper --- Hanging Method: Aluminum frames come with a wire on the back. You can use 3M Command Hooks (ensure they are rated for 5kg or more for safety) to hang the artwork. *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/a959d5f8ab0dbc0f9bcf9dce800a3835.jpg Kawase Hasui (1883–1957) is one of Japan's most important modern Shin-hanga (new print) artists, hailed as "the Hiroshige of the Showa era." Born in Tokyo, he initially studied Western painting before turning to traditional Japanese art under the tutelage of Kiyokata Kaburagi. In 1918, inspired by his fellow student Shinsui Ito, Hasui began his career in the Shin-hanga movement, collaborating with the renowned publisher Shōzaburō Watanabe for decades. Hasui primarily created landscape prints, skillfully capturing the subtle shifts in light and shadow across the seasons. He transformed the natural scenery and cityscapes of Japan into poetic imagery. His compositions often evoke a serene atmosphere, frequently depicting dusk, night, rain, or snow. Figures are sparse or absent, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the pure landscape and experience a sense of solitary romance. This unique aesthetic made his work beloved both domestically and internationally, earning him the nickname "the painter of travel moods." 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 masterfully employed the "bokashi" (gradual shading) 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. Kawase Hasui created approximately 620 woodblock prints throughout his life, including significant series such as "Twelve Scenes of Tokyo," "Selected Japanese Landscapes," and "Twenty Views of Tokyo." His works not only document the urban and rural landscapes of Japan's Taisho and Showa periods 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 Japan's landscapes while showcasing the infinite potential of woodblock printing in the modern era. "Actual Photos 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 sketch (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, akin 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 sketch onto wooden blocks. Each color requires a separate wooden block. Requires extremely high precision, down to the millimeter, to ensure accurate color registration. 4️⃣ Printer (摺師, Surishi) Uses the wooden blocks and pigments to print the image layer by layer onto Japanese paper (washi). Responsible for color intensity, "bokashi" (gradual shading), 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