<b>ARIFUKU SPA IN IWAMI</b> / Kawase Hasui1924<B>RESERVED</B></em>

Details

In Hasui's woodblock print titled "Arifuku Spa in Iwami," the composition offers a captivating view from an elevated perspective. At the bottom right corner, a series of steep stairs wind their way down to a cluster of cottages nestled amidst a dense forest of towering pines. This serene town is celebrated for its natural hot springs, and Hasui masterfully captures the scene of people gathering naturally heated water from the springs. Figures can be seen filling their wooden buckets from spigots, their movements adding a sense of activity to the tranquil setting. As dusk descends, the sky overhead darkens, casting a soft, dusky hue over the landscape. The warm glow of lights emanates from a few of the cottages' windows, signaling the end of the day and the beginning of a peaceful evening in this idyllic spa town.

Interestingly, Kazuma Oda also produced a print of the same subject with a similar composition (offered here). Unlike Oda’s design, Hasui elects a more temperate climate for his subject, which echoes the comforting and calming nature of a spa town.

Connoisseur's Note

The print bears the publisher’s “A-type” seal at the bottom right margin, indicating it is a first-state. Consequently, it exemplifies the pinnacle of craftsmanship from Watanabe's workshop. Take note of the skillful bokashi throughout the design, notably in the blue hues of the sky, the wooden surfaces in the structures at the center, and in the yellow from the windows. With its razor-sharp impression and exceptional printing techniques, it represents the zenith of print production in 20th-century Japan.