<b>NAKAYAMA-SHICHIRI ROAD, HIDA</b> / Kawase Hasui1924$15,000</em>

Details

In this captivating woodblock print by Kawase Hasui, we are transported to a remote valley blanketed in snow under the cover of night. At the heart of the composition, a cluster of quaint cottages emerges along the tranquil banks of a meandering river, nestled amidst the serene winter landscape. Towering above, the rugged peaks of a mountain range dominate the scene, their treacherous silhouettes contrasting against the pristine white of the snow. Alongside the cottages, the stark silhouettes of snow-covered trees stand sentinel, enhancing the sense of isolation and tranquility. The print exudes a strong atmospheric quality, with masterful use of bokashi lending a subtle gradation of color and texture, particularly evident in the expansive sky overhead. Against this backdrop, snowflakes drift gently through the air, their delicate forms captured in mid-flight, imbuing the scene with a sense of quiet motion and ethereal beauty.

Connoisseur's Note

The print bears the publisher’s “B-type” seal at the lower right margin, indicating it is an early pre-war impression. As such, it showcases the highest level of craftsmanship from Watanabe's workshop. Notice the skillful bokashi on the blue of the water and in the gray hues throughout the background sky, as well as the circular barren effects throughout the composition. The razor-sharp impression, combined with these printing embellishments, exemplifies the pinnacle of print production in 20th-century Japan.