Hasui, Kawase (1883 – 1957), “Spring in Mount Atago (Pre-Earthquake)”

Notes: One of the best extant examples. Pristine colors throughout, with near perfect overall condition and state. An exceedingly rare pre-earthquake design. Designed from 1919 to 1921, the twelve prints of this series illustrate different locations throughout Tokyo. The series title has been cut into the block of each design and appears in the left margin. The Atago shrine is located on Mount Atago in present-day Minato ward, Tokyo. This view is taken from the back of the shrine, where it is set against the backdrop of a cherry tree with young green leaves. In the foreground, another cherry tree stands majestically in full bloom. Its gracefully falling blossoms appear to resent the end of spring, while children playfully collect the delicate petals with jubilation. The blocks for this print were destroyed in the Watanabe workshop as a result of the fire that followed the Kanto Earthquake of 1923. Few prints survived. AN IMPORTANT, EARLY HASUI WORK, RARE IN THIS CONDITION.