<b>KISO RIVER INUYAMA</b> / Kawase Hasui1927<b>SOLD</b></em>
ARTIST: Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
TITLE: Kiso River Inuyama
MEDIUM: Woodblock
DATE: 1927
DIMENSIONS: 15 x 10 1/8 inches
PUBLISHER: Bijutsusha, publisher’s seal at lower right (only fond on early first-state impressions)
CONDITION: Pristine, with sharp and vivid colors—faint residue on reverse top margin from publisher’s original mount
LITERATURE: Kendall H. Brown, Kawase Hasui: The Complete Woodblock Prints, 2003, pl. 176
ARTIST: Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
TITLE: Kiso River Inuyama
MEDIUM: Woodblock
DATE: 1927
DIMENSIONS: 15 x 10 1/8 inches
PUBLISHER: Bijutsusha, publisher’s seal at lower right (only fond on early first-state impressions)
CONDITION: Pristine, with sharp and vivid colors—faint residue on reverse top margin from publisher’s original mount
LITERATURE: Kendall H. Brown, Kawase Hasui: The Complete Woodblock Prints, 2003, pl. 176
ARTIST: Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
TITLE: Kiso River Inuyama
MEDIUM: Woodblock
DATE: 1927
DIMENSIONS: 15 x 10 1/8 inches
PUBLISHER: Bijutsusha, publisher’s seal at lower right (only fond on early first-state impressions)
CONDITION: Pristine, with sharp and vivid colors—faint residue on reverse top margin from publisher’s original mount
LITERATURE: Kendall H. Brown, Kawase Hasui: The Complete Woodblock Prints, 2003, pl. 176
Details
Hasui provides us with yet another stunning nautical scene—fishermen in a sailboat slowly meandering downstream while in the background the proud Inuyama Castle rises above it all on the hilltop. The design is executed in vibrant colors that seem to vibrate off the paper. The strong wood grain pattern in the sky creates a wonderful atmospheric effect as well as providing further evidence for how early this impression was executed in the print run. The stones in the foreground create a striking contrast to the light reflected in the water and the subtle atmosphere-like quality in the top portion of the design. All these elements work in concert to create a dream-like landscape. This design brings to mind the old childhood song: “Row, row, row your boat. Gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily. Life is but a dream…”
Connoisseur's Note
This design is one of a handful that were produced by the publisher Bijutsusha. As with all first states, this impression bears the publisher’s seal at the lower right corner. This print is a true time capsule. It was never framed or displayed and was stored in archival boxes. Prints in this pristine condition seldom come up for sale. This is an exceedingly rare opportunity to own a stunning Hasui design with fresh and vivid colors in its original state.
