Hasui, Kawase (1883 – 1957), “Yakuo Temple, Mito”

Notes: A near mint example of this large dai-oban format design. A seldom seen first state impression, with the seal of the printer, Ono Gintaro in the lower right margin. S. Watanabe publisher's 6mm lower left, and Seal A in the lower right corner. Displaying much stronger colors then the example shown in Hotei. Properly stored and never framed or displayed. At the time prints normally sold for three yen, but because this work was a toku-oban [special or oversized oban format] it went for eight yen. This image was printed on paper called hodomuragami, which was used because of wartime rationing. First edition prints from the late 1930's and 1940's are seldom seen due to paper rationing at that time, and the fact that Watanabe had a dwindling number of foreign customers. As a result, he printed fewer examples. A RARE PRINT; especially in this condition. Provenance: The collection was initially purchased directly from S. Watanabe print shop in the mid-1940's and has always been properly stored away in a single collection. The majority of the works showcase rarely seen MINT colors; several far exceeding numerous examples seen in prior collections.