Kawase Hasui Boxed Notecard Assortment

The revival of fine-art printing in early-20th-century Japan—a movement known as shin hanga—coincided with the dynamic growth of an export economy, largely focused on the United States. More Americans bought these prints, which were made with the foreign market in mind, than did Japanese. Among the leading printmakers of the day was Kawase Hasui, whose specialty was exquisitely rendered landscape scenes. The precision of the artist’s renderings is matched only by their poetic repose. Contains five each of the following notecards: Spring Night at Inokashira, 1931 Morning at Mitohama, 1952 Iris Garden at Meiji Shrine, Tokyo, 1951 Autumn at Saruiwa, Shiobara, 1949

Kawase Hasui

Kawase Hasui (Japanese, 1883–1957) created Impressionist-influenced artwork that emphasized the beauty of Japan’s countryside and the changing seasons. His parents were merchants, but after trying his hand at the family business, Hasui decided it wasn’t for him. Instead, at 25 he began studying art at the school of master Japanese painter Kaburagi Kiyokata. Often on the road in search of inspiration, Hasui brought his watercolor sketches to the printing studio of publisher Watanabe Shōzaburō, where they were transformed into woodblock prints for sale on the world market. The prints became especially popular in the United States. One of the most prolific artists of the shin hanga (new prints) movement, Hasui produced over 600 woodblock prints during his 40-year career. In 1956, he was awarded the prestigious title of Living National Treasure, the highest honor accorded to artists in postwar Japan.