Details

In Hasui's mesmerizing woodblock print, a serene night scene unfolds before the viewer, enveloped in shades of deep blue and hints of lavender. Dominating the composition is a large, luminous yellow moon, its brilliance partially veiled by fog and the canopy of trees, casting an ethereal glow across the landscape. Along a tranquil country road, lined with towering trees wrapped in protective bamboo, a lone figure pulls a small wheelbarrow cart, their lantern casting a soft, warm light in the darkness. Across the scene, two more lights flicker in the distance, suggesting the presence of others engaged in similar nocturnal activities. In the foreground, a small rivulet meanders silently, its surface catching the faint reflections of the moonlight, adding to the mysterious allure of the nighttime scene.

Connoisseur's Note

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