Evening at Ushibori Woodblock by Hasui Kawase 1930 2nd Edition Numbered 166/350 Publisher Sakai and Kawaguchi

Title: Evening at Ushibori (Ushibori no Yugure) 

Size: oban 
Signature and Seal on lower right in block: Hasui Kawase (Seal)
Lower left bottom Publisher Sakai and Kawaguchi
Edition: 2nd edition and hand numbered 166/350
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 “21” printed on the lower margins
Year: 1930
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, the left side hinge is not attached to the paper. The image has slight fading to color, the impression is not as strong as others and you can see this on the left lower part of the image. The rest of the woodblock is beautiful and very crisp. Please see the images for more details.  The back has a discoloring to the area where the yellow color is, please see the images. NOTE, no damage to the image on the front.Back is lined as edition was released. Please see the images for more details. 

“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.