Hasui, Kawase (1883 – 1957), “View of an Azalea Garden from a Verandah (Key Block)”

Notes: A very rare key block for the completed design, "View of an Azalea Garden from a Verandah" (Hotei #365). Most were discarded, and remaining impressions are found in poor condition, as is the case with this example. A fine acquisition for the collector who wishes to have both the key block and completed design (Hotei #365). A key block, is generally the one that contains most of the structural or descriptive elements of the design, thus serving as a guide for the disposition of the other colors. This design was part of a complete set of six untitled prints that were commissioned by the Iwasaki family and published in 1935. The set was only sold at the gift shop inside The Hotel de Yama and never distributed at the S. Watanabe Print Shop. The villa (Hotel de Yama) was converted into a hotel before WWII, and the six prints were sold in a portfolio to foreign clientele. Each print was mounted in a cardboard mat inscribed with English titles. - Hotei Vol. 1