[Art Print] Kasamatsu Shirō - Misty Night at Shinobazu Pond

*Framing Options: Professional museum-grade framing, a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. Orders require a 2-3 week waiting period. Thank you for your patience. *Paper Print Only (Unframed): Ships in 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 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 Strips (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/q665027qdm.cloud/q665027dd6a3a4/image/data/2025/08/18/68d063d702e1d4034649c6c0ba95ad04.jpg **Kasamatsu Shirō** Kasamatsu Shirō (1898–1991) was a renowned Japanese woodblock print artist whose career spanned and bridged two major print movements: Shin-hanga (New Prints) and Sōsaku-hanga (Creative Prints). 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, characteristic of a transformative period in Japanese art history. Born in Asakusa, Tokyo, Kasamatsu displayed artistic talent from a young age. He initially studied under the prominent Nihonga painter Kaburagi Kiyokata, gaining a deep understanding of traditional Japanese aesthetics and techniques, which significantly influenced his early woodblock print style. Kiyokata later introduced him to Watanabe Shōzaburō, a key publisher of the Shin-hanga movement. This collaboration led to many of Kasamatsu's classic works, such as woodblock prints depicting serene landscapes and daily Japanese life, 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, capturing the beauty and nostalgia of the Japanese countryside. His masterful control of color gradients and lines showcased the spirit of craftsmanship and collaborative models within Japanese print culture. However, by the 1950s, he felt this collaborative approach constrained his creativity 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 Kasamatsu 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. Kasamasu's engagement with both Shin-hanga and Sōsaku-hanga makes 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 uniqueness and innovation. Through these dual achievements, Kasamatsu Shirō secured his significant position in the history of 20th-century Japanese printmaking. "Actual photo of the "Japanese Antique Prints 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 the overall composition, character, and landscape designs. Examples: Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige, Kawase Hasui. 2️⃣ Publisher (版元, Hanmoto) The core of the team, similar 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: Watanabe Shōzaburō during the Shin-hanga movement. 3️⃣ Block 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 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, 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