Details

The muffled sound of the bell overhead is faintly noticeable as the heavy snow continues to pile, all the while hushing the world to the sound of an intimate whisper. This idyllic scene is quintessential Kawase Hasui. It is the artist at his best, showing us a scene of bygone Japan, much like the lone figure in the design disappearing into the snowy background. There is, however, a touch of modernity, as the dimly lit electrical lights in the background gain on the retiring light of late afternoon. The quiet elegance of this scene is profound.

Connoisseur's Note

Of all printmaking techniques, woodblock prints are best able to represent the varying atmospheric qualities of the weather. Hasui certainly exploits this advantage and awards the viewer with wonderfully articulated snow scenes, such as this one. The white of the falling snow is so neatly contrasted by the gray of the sky as it falls gently onto the ground, only to grow dimly blue as the night ascends. This spellbinding scene attests to why there is no better artist at snow scenes than Hasui, and why these scenes are the most sought after within his body of work. This impression bares a Watanabe D-type seal indicating it is an early, rare pre-war impression, making it that much more collectible.