Curator's notes: The Pond at Benten Shrine in Shiba, is a serene and picturesque print created by the renowned Japanese artist Kawase Hasui. The print depicts a tranquil pond located within the grounds of the Benten Shrine in Shiba, a neighborhood in Tokyo. The pond is surrounded by lush greenery, with a bridge spanning across the water, leading to a small island in the center of the pond, adorned with a statue of Benten, the goddess of music, poetry and education. The water is calm and still, reflecting the surrounding trees and the shrine's architecture in its surface. The print exudes a sense of tranquility and peacefulness, with the use of soft colors and delicate brushstrokes, making it a true masterpiece of the shin-hanga movement.
Curator's notes: "Morning at Arayu Spa, Shiobara" is a spellbinding print by the accomplished Japanese artist Kawase Hasui. It depicts the serene and idyllic setting of the Arayu Spa, located in the picturesque town of Shiobara, in all its scintillating splendor. The print captures the tranquility and seclusion of the spa, nestled amidst the lush foliage and gurgling streams. The sun's first rays pierce through the mist, illuminating the spa's rustic architecture and the serene faces of the bathers. The overall effect is one of ethereal beauty and meditative serenity. The print is a quintessential example of Hasui's masterful use of light and shadow, as well as his ability to convey the ephemeral beauty of nature. The intricate details and delicate brushstrokes imbue the print with a sense of realism and immediacy, transporting the viewer to the spa as if they were there in person. Hasui's prints are considered to be some of the most evocative and masterful examples of the Japanese printmaking tradition, and "Morning at Arayu Spa, Shiobara" is a prime example of his virtuosity.
Curator's notes: The Great Buddha at Kamakura, also known as the Kamakura Daibutsu, is a monumental sculpture that was depicted in a print by the renowned Japanese artist Kawase Hasui. The print captures the awe-inspiring grandeur of the Buddha statue, which stands at an imposing 13 meters in height and is made of bronze. The statue is situated in the city of Kamakura, which is located in the Kanagawa prefecture of Japan. Hasui's print is a masterful representation of the statue's majestic presence, with the Buddha's serene and contemplative expression evoking a sense of tranquility and reverence. The print also showcases the lush foliage that surrounds the statue, adding to its ethereal and idyllic ambiance. The Great Buddha at Kamakura is considered to be one of the most iconic and revered symbols of Japan's rich cultural heritage and is a must-see for any visitor to the country.
Curator's notes: The Sunset Glow in Yanaka by Kawase Hasui is a captivating piece of art that showcases the picturesque beauty of the Yanaka neighborhood in Tokyo, Japan. The print depicts a serene evening scene where the last rays of sunlight are casting a warm and golden radiance over the traditional Japanese houses and the surrounding greenery. The tranquility of the moment is palpable, and the viewer can almost hear the gentle rustling of the leaves and the distant chirping of the crickets. The print is rendered in Hasui's signature style, which is characterized by his attention to detail and his masterful use of light and shadow. The houses are depicted with great accuracy and the colors are rich and vibrant. The overall composition is harmonious and balanced, making the print a true feast for the eyes. In terms of unusual words, Hasui's print can be described as an "enigmatic masterpiece" that exudes an "ethereal ambiance" and captures the "transitory nature" of the sunset. It is a "visually sumptuous" work of art that evokes a sense of "nostalgia" and "serenity."
Curator's notes: "Meguro Fudo Temple" is a breath-taking print by the renowned artist Kawase Hasui, depicting the serene and picturesque Meguro Fudo Temple in Tokyo, Japan. The print is an exemplar of Hasui's masterful use of light and shadow, and it captures the tranquil atmosphere of the temple with an ethereal and otherworldly touch. The temple is nestled amidst lush greenery and is bathed in a soft light that casts a warm and inviting glow. The architecture of the temple is intricately detailed and rendered with an almost photographic realism, and the print exudes a sense of serenity and reverence. The print is a true ode to the sublime beauty of the Meguro Fudo Temple and it's a testament to Hasui's exceptional skill as a printmaker.
Curator's notes: Saishoin Temple in Snow Hirosaki is a breathtakingly beautiful print by the renowned Japanese artist Kawase Hasui. This particular piece captures the serene and ethereal essence of the temple, nestled amidst a blanket of pristine snow. The temple, which is located in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, Japan, is known for its delicate and intricate architecture, and Hasui has expertly captured its delicate beauty in this print. The intricate details of the temple's eaves and rooflines are rendered in exquisite detail, while the snow-covered landscape creates a sense of seclusion and tranquility. The print is a masterful representation of the temple's otherworldly beauty, and it is a true testament to Hasui's skill and artistry.
Curator's notes: De Zensetsu Temple in Sanshu is a print created by Japanese artist Hasui Kawase in the early 20th century. The print depicts a view of the De Zensetsu Temple, located in the city of Sanshu, in the Gifu prefecture of Japan. The temple is set in a mountainous landscape, with a small stream running through the foreground. The print captures the serene and peaceful atmosphere of the temple and its surroundings, with a focus on the natural beauty of the area. Hasui Kawase was known for his landscape prints, which often depicted traditional Japanese scenes and architecture.
Curator's notes: Miyajima in de mist is a captivating piece of art that was created by the renowned Japanese artist Kawase Hasui. The print depicts the mystical island of Miyajima, which is located in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan. The island is known for its picturesque views and its famous floating torii gate, which is a traditional Japanese gate that marks the entrance to a Shinto shrine. In this print, the island is shrouded in a veil of mist, giving it an ethereal and otherworldly appearance. The mist creates a sense of mystique and intrigue, making the island seem like a place of ancient and sacred beauty. The colors used in the print are soft and muted, adding to the dreamlike atmosphere. The print is a masterful example of the shin-hanga style, which is a type of Japanese printmaking that combines traditional Japanese art with modern techniques. Hasui's use of light and shadow, as well as his attention to detail, are truly mesmerizing. Overall, Miyajima in de mist is a mesmerizing work of art that captures the beauty and mysticism of this sacred island in Japan. It is a true testament to Hasui's skill as an artist and his ability to create works that are both evocative and enchanting.
Curator's notes: "Departing Spring" is a print by the renowned Japanese artist Kawase Hasui, depicting a lady during the spring season, as she is bidding farewell to the beauty of the blooming flowers. The print is characterized by its delicate and ethereal composition, featuring the lady standing on a bridge over a gentle stream, surrounded by lush greenery and cherry blossom trees. The lady is dressed in a traditional kimono, with a serene expression on her face, as if contemplating the fleeting nature of spring. The print is an embodiment of Hasui's masterful use of light and shadow, creating an ambiance of melancholic nostalgia. The pastel colors and soft brushstrokes imbue the print with a sense of wistfulness, as if the lady is bidding adieu to the spring's fleeting beauty, knowing that it will soon be replaced by the scorching summer heat. Hasui's print is a true ode to the transience of life, evoking a sense of bittersweet longing and a melancholic appreciation of the fleeting beauty of nature. It is a visual masterpiece that encapsulates the essence of spring, in all its ephemeral glory.
Curator's notes: The print Nenokuchi Lake Towada by Kawase Hasui is a woodblock print by the Japanese artist Kawase Hasui. The lake is calm and peaceful, and the sky is a beautiful orange. The print is dominated by the lake, which takes up most of the space. The water is rendered in shades of blue and green, and it reflects the setting sun in a fiery glow. The tree branch is in the foreground, and it provides a sense of scale to the print. The print is a beautiful and serene depiction of nature, and it captures the beauty of Lake Towada at sunset.
Curator's notes: Gozanoishi Shrine at Lake Tazawa is a print created by the Japanese artist Kawase Hasui. It depicts the Gozanoishi Shrine, which is located near the shores of Lake Tazawa in the Akita prefecture of Japan. The print features a beautiful view of the lake, with the shrine in the foreground and a group of people on the shoreline. The colors and composition of the print are typical of Hasui's style, with a focus on the natural beauty of the landscape and the peaceful atmosphere of the scene. This print is considered a classic example of Hasui's work and is highly sought after by collectors.
Curator's notes: Spring in Mount Atago is a captivating print by the renowned Japanese artist Hasui Kawase. It showcases the idyllic beauty of the Mount Atago area, located in the Kansai region of Japan, during the springtime. The print is a visual symphony of verdant hues, as the verdant greenery of the mountain's lush foliage is set against the azure sky. The intricate details of the trees and the gentle flow of the stream that winds its way through the scene are rendered with an almost photographic realism. The print is a masterful evocation of the serene and peaceful atmosphere of a spring day in the mountains, and it is sure to elicit a sense of tranquility and wonder in the viewer.
Curator's notes: Takamatsu Castle Sanuki, illustrated by the acclaimed artist Kawase Hasui, is a stunning print that depicts the grandeur of the historic castle located in the province of Sanuki, Japan. The print showcases the imposing fortress, with its towering walls and formidable gates, nestled amidst a picturesque landscape of lush greenery and tranquil waters. Hasui masterfully captures the intricate details of the castle's architecture, with its intricate carvings and imposing towers, as well as the serene beauty of the surrounding environment. The print is a testament to the artist's skill in depicting the grandeur and splendor of historical landmarks, and is a true feast for the eyes, evoking a sense of wonder and reverence in the viewer.