Hasui 巴水: Snowy Garden at Urayasu 雪の庭（浦安）(SOLD)

Artist: Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Title: Snowy Garden at Urayasu 雪の庭（浦安）
Date: April 1932

We see a guard warming his hands over an outdoor fire that glows orange as he passes a blustery night in a quiet neighborhood on the banks of a canal that must connect to the Edo River. Across the canal we see a garden with poles and bamboo that form a protective tent for winter. Small boats are tied up, and wooden homes are seen in the background, one with two glowing windows. Heavy snowflakes overlay this winter evening scene, even though they have been created using negative space, meaning that they had to be carved out of each of the numerous colorblocks as well the keyblock itself. Each snowflake appears unique in its shape and color; at the top the snowflakes have a wash of grey over them. This is one of only four designs published by Hôjudô.  This is a very rare design, with a limited edition seal verso that lists an edition of 100. It is not known if the complete edition was published.  Today this area has become the Tokyo Disney Resort, which makes this a prewar snapshot of a sleepy fishing area prior to it being trounced by intense development. This exact print is pictured full page in the “The Art of Kawase Hasui” published by Tokyo Bijutsu (2013), page 92. This exact print is also published in the Folk Museum of Ota City catalog “Hasui Kawase Exhibition Catalog” (2007), page 43 number 89. Provenance: From the personal collection of the late Hasui scholar Hisao Shimizu. 

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition.
Dimensions: ôban (39.3 x 26)
Publisher: Hôjudô
Literature: Hotei #275. This exact print is pictured full page in the “The Art of Kawase Hasui” published by Tokyo Bijutsu (2013), page 92.This exact print is also published in the Folk Museum of Ota City catalog “Hasui Kawase Exhibition Catalog” (2007), page 43 number 89.
Seal: Kawase; Takano Shichinosuke (Block-cutter); Tani Tomisaburô (Printer)
Signature: Hasui

SKU: HAC275L