Kawase Hasui, Approaching Dusk on Furukawa Embankment (Pre-Earthquake)

Created at the beginning of the summer of 1919, this design (Hotei #6) is an exceedingly early/scarce pre-earthquake woodcut by the artist. This scene is en route from Rokugo to Yaguchi, on the way to the ancient hall called Furukawa Yakushi. Seen from the banks of the Tama river, the pale ink-black sky threatens rain at any moment. I (Hasui) attempted to convey the lonely atmosphere at dusk on an early summer’s day with the sail-boat gliding through the deep, dark river and also with the man sauntering along the road. – Hotei Vol. 1; pg. 52 The pagoda of Kofuku-ji Temple towers over the Sarusawa pond. Two deer are strolling on the snow covered bank.