Hasui 巴水: Saishô Temple, Hirosaki 弘前最勝院 (SOLD)

Artist: Kawase Hasui 川瀬巴水 )1883-1957)

Title: Saishô Temple, Hirosaki 弘前最勝院

Series: Collection of Scenic Views of Japan, Eastern Japan Edition 日本風景集 東日本篇Date: 1936

A solitary figure wields their umbrella against the falling snow as they walk in front of the pagoda of the Saishô Temple in Hirosaki. The individual wears a striped kimono and wooden geta, with a blue over-jacket, their traditional attire of a piece with the Edo period pagoda . The flash of yellow on the umbrella gives an almost spotlight effect on this part of the design. Narazaki used these words to describe this artwork: “Situated in a cypress forest, the vermilion five-story pagoda is a fitting subject for a silver-white snowscape.” The colors of the trees in the background show a great sensitivity to the effect that snow and distance have on objects that are not in the foreground. Note the much stronger green of the snow-covered boughs that are seen in the foreground. Hasui has given us the wonderful feeling of having this stunningly scenic landmark all to ourselves. The 17th century Five-Storied Pagoda of Sashoin Temple is the northernmost pagoda in Japan, and it is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. It is still considered a symbol of Hirosaki City. This print bears the Watanabe seal, left margin, that was in use between 1935 and 1941, so it may be considered an early, prewar example. This design is shown full page in Narazaki, and rarely comes available for sale in a prewar edition. Note that in September, 2024, a postwar example of this print sold for $11,900 at Christie’s New York.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition.
Publisher: Watanabe
Literature: Narazaki #217 (shown full page, page 79); Hotei #313. See the Art Institute of Chicago, National Museum of Asian Art, VMFA. Seal: Kawase
Signature: Hasui 

SKU: HAS629