Hasui, Kawase (1883 – 1957), “Miyuki Bridge, Kumamoto Castle (Pre-Earthquake)”

Notes: Signed Hasui with artist's round seal Kawase. Series seal, left margin. Hand-numbered with red limited edition seal on verso; #/300. A rare numbered pre-earthquake print. The original title folder is also included. The thirty-six prints of this series were produced from 1922 to 1926, with the majority of the designs from places in Kyushu. All prints are in the aiban format. Kumamoto castle was erected in the first decade of the 17th century by Kato Kiyomasa (1562-1611), and later was under the rule of the Hosokawa family. It was badly damaged in 1877 during the Satsuma rebellion, the last armed uprising against the new reforms of the Meiji government. Saigo Takamori (1827-77) and his troops sheltered for some fifty days in the castle before their eventual defeat at the hands of government troops.