Artist: Kawase Hasui (1883-1957) 川瀬 巴水
Title: Snow at Shin Bridge in Nikko 日光神橋の雪
Date: 1930
Nikko Shinkyo no yuki. The famous vermilion-lacquered Shin Bridge in Nikko is made even more beautiful with heavy snowfall, the pure white surroundings adding fantastic contrast. Beneath the bridge flows the Daiya river, flowing in a diagonal towards the viewer. The snowflakes are round and large, and no two are quite the same–a specialty of Hasui. The distant hills softly retreat, their outlines hazy in the increased distance, just as one would see if visiting the scene in person. The bridge is a part of Nikko Futarasan-jinja Shrine and was designated a World Heritage Site in 1999. Works published by Kawaguchi are prized for their exceptional printing quality. As this work was printed in 1930 following the separation of the publishing partners Sakai and Kawaguchi, this is the first edition of this design, with the limited edition number of 154/350 with the stamped and numbered red seal, verso. Note that this work was printed with a great deal of depth in particular; there are other first edition examples that do not have such subtle, velvety printing that adds depth, as here. Scarce in this condition. (Note that due to the popularity of this design, there are many extant reprints on the market that were published following the artist’s death. These works lack the expertise and finesse of this first edition and do not come close in comparison.)
Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. Mint.
Dimensions: ôban 28.1 x 40.8 cm
Publisher: Kawaguchi
Literature: Hotei #213; Narazaki #Ks-12. See Kendall Brown’s “Visions of Japan: Kawase Hasui’s Masterpieces” number 39, page 75. See MFA Boston.
Signature: Hasui
SKU: HAC213K
