[Art Print] Ryushō Kasamatsu - Lingering Light on Water

*Framing Options: Professional museum-grade framing, a meticulous and time-consuming process, requires a 2-3 week waiting period. Thank you for your patience. *Unframed Print Only: Ships within 3-5 business days. Art Prints: Made in Taiwan. Handcrafted Framing: Made in Taiwan. --- Artwork 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. --- Artwork Medium: Art Prints: Giclée on Etching Art Paper --- Hanging Method: Aluminum frames come with a steel wire on the back. You can use 3M Command Hooks (please purchase the 5kg or higher weight capacity version 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/2025/08/20/b194d13a3b2613ca672769f7203ac87f.jpg Ryushō Kasamatsu Ryushō Kasamatsu (1898–1991) was a renowned Japanese woodblock print artist whose career bridged two major print movements: Shin-hanga and Sōsaku-hanga. Kasamatsu is celebrated for his evocative landscapes and urban scenes, blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern artistic sensibilities. His artistic journey reflects a dedication to craftsmanship and an evolving vision, capturing a pivotal era of transformation in Japanese art history. Born in Asakusa, Tokyo, Kasamatsu displayed artistic talent from a young age. He initially studied under the prominent Nihonga master Kiyokata Kaburagi, gaining a deep understanding of traditional Japanese aesthetics and techniques that significantly influenced his early woodblock prints. Kaburagi later introduced him to Shōzaburō Watanabe, a key publisher in the Shin-hanga movement. This collaboration led to many of Kasamatsu's classic works, depicting serene landscapes and daily life in Japan, captivating audiences both domestically and internationally. During his Shin-hanga period, Kasamatsu 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 scenery, the changing seasons, and traditional architecture, evoking the beauty and nostalgia of the Japanese countryside. His mastery of color gradients and lines showcased the craftsmanship and collaborative spirit inherent in Japanese printmaking culture. However, by the 1950s, he began to feel that this collaborative model constrained his creativity, leading him to seek greater artistic autonomy. This pursuit of independence drew him to the Sōsaku-hanga movement, which emphasized the artist's direct involvement in all stages—design, carving, and printing. This allowed Kasamatsu to experiment with new techniques and subjects, producing 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. Kasamatsu's involvement in both Shin-hanga and Sōsaku-hanga made him one of the few artists to successfully navigate both major trends. In the Shin-hanga realm, his works are known for their exquisite technique and lyrical beauty; in the Sōsaku-hanga realm, they are acclaimed for their originality and innovation. Through these dual achievements, Ryushō Kasamatsu secured his significant place in the history of 20th-century Japanese printmaking. "Actual photo of output from the Japanese antique print 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 draft (下絵). Provides overall composition, character, and landscape designs. 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 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: Shōzaburō Watanabe during the Shin-hanga movement. 3️⃣ Block Carver (彫師, Hōshi) Transfers the artist's draft onto woodblocks. Each color requires a separate woodblock. Requires extremely high precision, accurate to the millimeter, to prevent color misalignment. 4️⃣ Printer (摺師, Surishi) Uses the woodblocks and pigments to print the image layer by layer onto Japanese paper (washi). Responsible for color nuances, gradations (ぼかし), and light/shadow effects. The skill level directly impacts the final presentation 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