Hasui 川瀬巴水: Zojoji Temple in Snow (Sold)

Artist: Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Title: Zojo Temple in Snow (Yuki no Zojoji)
Date: 1929

Zojo Temple in Snow. A visitor wielding a yellow umbrella walks towards the entrance of Zojo Temple, a black dog following in his footsteps. This must be the main gate, Sangedatsumon, which was constructed in 1622, and is therefore the oldest wooden building in Tokyo. This was the only original structure to survive the destruction of WWII, and is now an Important Cultural Property.

Images of white snow falling on red temples, especially this red temple, are some of Hasui’s most iconic and sought-after designs. This is from the second numbered edition (published before 1931) that was published jointly by Sakai & Kawaguchi. There are many later editions (post-1950s) of this work, but few of these very early editions ever come up for sale. (A more perfect example of this work sold recently at Christies for more than $11k.)

Condition: Very good impression and color. Good/fair condition. With toning and backing remnants verso, and some expert repairs to margins.
Publisher: Kawaguchi-Sakai
Literature: Brown/Hotei #190. Honolulu Museum of Art, Minneapolis Institute of Art collections online.
Seal: Limited edition seal, verso, numbered 108 out of an edition of 350.
Signature: Hasui with his seal

SKU: HAS548