Artist: Kawase Hasui
Medium: Original Watercolor on Paper
Series Title: Landscape
Edition: Original
Date: c.1950s
Publisher: The Artist
Reference No.: Uncatalogued Original Watercolor
Size: 21 x 15 "
Condition: Fine
Notes:
Signed and sealed in red square chop: 'Hasui'. Unlike his widely distributed woodblock prints, this is an original watercolor on paper painting executed entirely by Hasui’s own hand. This c.1950s watercolor painting exhibits a lifetime accumulation of artistic techniques, styles, and influences by one of modern Japan's most important and prolific artists.
The piece is a masterclass in shin-hanga landscape design, capturing the brilliant seasonal transformation of the rugged mountain gorge. It features the pristine turquoise rushing waters of the Hokigawa River flowing between towering, steep rocky cliffs. The verticality of the canyon walls is beautifully broken up by dense cascading branches painted in vivid autumnal hues—golds, deep rust-browns, and fiery vermilion maples.
Shiobara held a deeply personal significance for Kawase Hasui, serving as his second home and artistic sanctuary north of Tokyo where he spent extended periods recuperating from childhood illnesses. This region inspired his very first published woodblock prints in 1918 and became the subject of numerous spectacular lifetime watercolors and prints throughout his career.
The Shiobara Gorge is a scenic river valley connected to the Nikko National Park within the Tochigi Prefecture. The Hoki River, which flows through the gorge, carves out a deep ravine while being surrounded by natural forest slopes. The area near Mount Nasudake, an active volcano, has numerous hiking trails, and is famous for its hot springs, waterfalls, and untouched landscape. There are approximately 100 waterfalls in the Shiobara Valley. As is depicted in this scene, the best time of year to visit is during the colorful autumn season.