2nd edition Numbered 157/350 Hasui Woodblock Night Rain at Omiya 1929 Published by Sakai and Kawaguchi

Title: Night Rain at Omiya (Miya no ame) 

Size: oban size
Signature and Seal on lower right in block: Hasui Kawase (Sealed)
Lower left bottom Publisher Sakai and Kawaguchi
Lower left above edition number has publisher name.
Edition: 2nd edition and hand numbered 157/350
Additional: left side margin has the cartouche of both Printer and Carver, Maeda Kentaro and printer’s Komatsu Wasakichi
Back is lined as edition is stated with “20” printed on the lower margins 
Year: 1929 

Note on 2nd Edition: 
“Shortly after the first, second, and sometimes third editions were produced, the partnership between Sakai and Kawaguchi was dissolved, with Kawaguchi retaining the blocks and issuing later unnumbered editions under his name alone. While this impression has both Sakai and Kawaguchi publisher seals as well as the carver and printer seals, it is not numbered on verso, and as such, it is from the second edition issued before the publishers parted ways.”

Condition: Archival hinge tape on the top and and side margins. The woodblock is untrimmed and show beautiful saturation and the reverse has good strong bleed of the ink. Front is hand numbered in pencil below the publishers name. Back is lined as edition was released. Please see the images for more details. 
An excellent and  strong impression on this woodblock.

Hasui is known for many scenes and subjects but it his most notable subjects and sough after are his nigh scenes and his rain and this piece has both. The secluded house sits by the water, alone but surrounded by trees and grass, lush and isolating. The House is almost hiding in the landscapes is like a sanctuary with the woods and rain but the bright orange light is a beacon. The light draws the viewer in, almost the dead center of the woodblock. 
Again Hasui uses his rich blues to saturate the woodblock, an amazing piece.

“Hasui Kawase (1883 –1957) was an artist, one of modern Japan's most important and prolific printmakers. He was a prominent designer of the shin-hanga ("new prints") movement, whose artists depicted traditional subjects with a style influenced by Western art. Like many earlier ukiyo-e prints, Hasui's works were commonly landscapes, but displayed atmospheric effects and natural lighting.  Hasui designed almost one thousand woodblock prints over a career that spanned nearly forty years. Towards the end of his life the government recognized him as a Living National Treasure for his contribution to Japanese culture.”
Referred to most simply as Hasui, his woodblocks have been highly collectable for years. To See his woodblocks you are immediately drawn to the details, especially in his snow and rain scenes and his night scenes. Unlike traditional woodblocks of the 19th century his scenes were emotional and not stories or folk tales or stories.
Sturgis Antiques will be posting a collection of Hasui, collected by one person over decades, each of the woodblocks are in very good to near perfect condition. 
Enjoy the art of one of Japanese most celebrated artist of the woodblock form.

Please feel free to email me for more images or if you have any questions. 

NOTE:
International orders, please email me your shipping address before purchase with your address to get a shipping quote. The shipping price is for US buyers only.