Details

Light spills from the windows, cascading down the veranda and illuminating the river below. The bare branches of the weeping willow in the foreground direct this light downward, enhancing the composition's fluid and dramatic nature. The water below captures the cascading light, blending it with the magic of the darkest part of the night.

Konen, primarily known as a Nihonga painter, briefly collaborated with Watanabe Shozaburo, the founder of Shin Hanga. Together, they produced only two full-sized woodblock prints in 1928: Fading Lamplight of a Pagoda (also featured in this exhibition) and this enchanting view of Dotonbori.

Connoisseur's Note

This print features a Watanabe C-type seal, indicating it is a rare first-state impression. The condition is excellent, with colors as vibrant as the day they were printed. This impression is particularly noteworthy for its strong atmospheric quality and dramatic use of light throughout the composition, making it highly desirable for collectors