Hasui: Zôjô Temple, Shiba ( 東京二十景 芝増上寺) (Sold)

Artist: Kawase Hasui
Title: Zôjô Temple, Shiba (Tokyo nijûkei, Shiba Zôjôji)
Date: 1925

Early edition of Hasui’s most famous design, a classic of 20th century art on paper. A beauty braces her paper umbrella against gusts of snow, her features hidden from the viewer. We feel the weight of the snow on the pine branches. The red temple is  solid in metaphor and countenance, an anchor that contrasts with the whims of weather and man. With the “B” seal of Watanabe, considered the best and earliest seal to have on this print. Some scholars believe that the earliest editions of this design feature a “brick” red temple, one that tends towards orange, prior to the use of the brighter “lipstick” red coloring of later editions. As Narazaki noted “This is a masterpiece within Hasui’s oeuvre, and no other by him received as much praise."

Condition: Very good impression and condition. Good color.  Dimensions: ôban
Publisher: Watanabe Shôzaburô
Literature: N#147; H#147
Seal: Kawase
Signature: Hasui

SKU: HAC147