Hasui 巴水: Himeji Castle (Sold)

Artist: Kawase Hasui (1883-1957) 川瀬巴水
Title: Himeji Castle  1953 年太平洋航運線カレンダー
Date: 1952 

The white tiers of Himeji Castle rise above the stone ramparts, softened by groves of green-leaved trees. It appears to be near sunrise, with the sky a subtle yellow-pink. As Narazaki wrote “The castle...may well be the icon of Japan itself”. 

This set was commissioned for distribution in the United States within the tradition of meisho-e, (pictures of famous views). We see the title of the work and the name of the artist printed in the lower margin. This is the May image for the 1953 Calendar for the Pacific Transport Lines. These works are surprisingly rare, as most of the 500 copies of the calendar were discarded after use. 

Condition: Excellent impression and color; very good condition. Original hinging remnants along upper edge, verso.
Dimensions: ôban (25.8 x 37.7 cm)
Publisher: Watanabe Shôzaburô
Literature: Hotei #580. See Honolulu Academy of Art online.
Seal: Kawase
Signature: Hasui

SKU: HAC580