Kasamatsu Shiro 紫浪: Hongo Red Gate in Snow 赤門

Artist: Kasamatsu Shiro 紫浪 (1898-1991)

Title: Hongo Red Gate in Snow 赤門  Date: 1932 (this edition ca. late 1940s)

Women in kimono holding paper umbrellas and two men in overcoats with western umbrellas are seen near the famous Hongo Red Gate at University of Tokyo, Hongo. Standing out against the snow, Akamon is a historical gate that was constructed in 1827 and is one of two remaining gates of the Edo period daimyo mansions in Tokyo. It was built to celebrate the marriage of Kaga lord Maeda Nariyasu to Lady Yasu, the 21st daughter of Shogun Tokugawa Ienari. It is currently on the grounds of the Hongo campus of the University of Tokyo and has been designated an Important Cultural Property. Note that that there are what seem to be much more recent printings of this design by Watanabe that are found online for sale; those more recent works show a significantly larger round Watanabe seal that is placed in the middle fencepost in the design. This work was printed earlier, shortly after the World War II, and possesses the smaller post-war seal that is in the very corner of the design. 

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. 
Dimensions: ôban 26.6 X 38.8 cm.
Publisher: Watanabe Shôzaburô
Signature: Shiro  Literature: See National Museum of Asian Art,  Museum of Applied Art, Vienna.

SKU: SHR025