To be honest with you, the works of Hasui Kawase are one of our best discoveries this year. They are amazing! Regarded as a major Japanese landscape artist of the 20th century, Kawase’s prints are characterized by their serenity of mood and flawless composition. Hasui traveled widely in Japan and his subjects are most frequently landscape themes. The prints are based on small, quick sketches and watercolors taken from nature. Unfortunately, during the earthquake of 1923, all his woodblocks and over 200 sketches were destroyed. The works that predate this event are extremely scarce and in great demand today. Undaunted, Hasui continued to produce his landscape prints. In 1956, the Japanese government’s Committee for the Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage designated Hasui's Zojo Temple in Snow and the documentation of its production as Intangible Cultural Treasures, the greatest artistic honor in postwar Japan.
The Oirase River in northern Japan is a popular destination for autumn hiking. This print captures the crisp autumn colors of the river valley.
P.S. Kawase's beautiful landscapes are reminiscent of scenes in popular anime series and films. Make sure to check them out here!