Kawase Hasui

1883-1957

Cherries at Night in Koganei
(Koganei no Yozakura)

signed Hasui with artist's seal Kawase, the title along the right half of the margin, Koganei no yozakura, the date at left, Showa junen nigatsu saku (made in Showa 10 [1935], 2nd month), with publisher's copyright seal at lower right corner, Hanken shoyu fukyo mosha Watanabe Shozaburo (copyright ownership, reproduction not allowed, Watanabe Shozaburo); and with rare stamped inspection on the reverse, Showa juninen, junigatsu, juninichi cho sa (Showa 12 [1937], 12th month, 12th day, inspected) followed by red mon (of the Watanabe family)

dai oban tate-e 13 3/8 by 10 3/4 in., 34.1 by 27.2 cm

The inspection seal on the reverse of this relatively rare print is very unusual. It would seem that this impression may have been approved by Watanabe himself, presumably as the standard to which all subsequent impressions should match. Thus it is particularly intriguing that although the design is dated early in 1935, this work was 'inspected' late in 1937, indicating that perhaps the production of this print, in an unusual format and not a part of any particular series, may have been delayed or at least not a priority for the busy studio.

Published:
Japanese Landscapes of the 20th Century (Hotei Publishing birthday calendar), 2001, June
Kendall H. Brown, Kawase Hasui: The complete woodblock prints, 2003, no. 354

(inv. no. 10-0667)

price: Sold