Vintage Kawase Hasui ‘Fudo Temple in Meguro’ and similar items

Vintage Kawase Hasui (1883-1957, Japanese) ?Fudo Temple in Meguro? 1931 Color Woodblock Print - Oban Title: Fudo Temple in Meguro (Megaro Fudo Do) Edition: Life Time Edition Date: 1st Publication 1931 ? Watanabe D Seal Series: One hundred views of new Tokyo (Shin Tokyo Hyakkei) Seal: Kawase Signature: Hasui Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo Size: 15.25 x 10in (38.75 x 25.5cm) Vertical Oban Impression: Very good impression and color. Some toning. Condition: Excellent; only slight toning. Strong colors; clean backside. Reference: Hotei #341, Narazaki #322 Comments: Narazaki reports that this composition was designed with an interest in depicting the complex shadows which are seen cast on the flagstones of the temple's path and steps. The "backwards swastika" symbol is actually the Japanese kanji for "temple." Hasui was born in Tokyo and studied both Japanese and European painting techniques as a child. His interest in Japanese woodblock prints developed during his apprenticeship at the age of 27 with the famous Japanese painter, Kaburaki Kiyokata, and his friendship with another apprentice, Ito Shinsui. Regarded as a major Japanese artist, Hasui Kawase?s prints are characterized by their serenity of mood and flawless composition. Born Bunjiro Kawase in Tokyo, Hasui Kawase was the son of a silk braid merchant. He began his artistic career studying Japanese-style painting with Kiyokata, as well as Western-style at the Hakubakai. His talent was clear, exhibiting in the Tatsumi Exhibition of Painting at age 19. However, soon after seeing Shinsui?s series Eight Views of Lake Biwa, Hasui turned his attention to woodblock printing in 1919. Shozaburo Watanabe was the first to recognize his artistic genius and Hasui Kawase soon became the most popular artist working for this prestigious publisher. Hasui traveled widely in Japan and his subjects consisted mostly of his surroundings. Unfortunately, during the earthquake of 1923, all of his woodblocks and over 200 sketches were destroyed. The works that predate this event are extremely scarce and in great demand today. Undaunted, Hasui continued to produce his prints. In 1956, the Japanese government?s Committee for the Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage designated Hasui's Zojo Temple in Snow and the documentation of its production as Intangible Cultural Treasures, the greatest artistic honor in postwar Japan. All of his woodblock prints are signed ?Hasui? usually with a variety of red seals reading ?sui.? Kawase Hasui is one the great masters of the Shin Hanga movement. Shortly before his death, the Japanese government declared his art work a Living National Treasure, the highest honor bestowed in modern-day Japan. BTC ETH XRP XLM DOGE LTC