The Pond at Benten Shrine in Shiba

Born as Kawase Bunjiro in Tokyo, Hasui Kawase (b.1883-d.1957), was the leading Japanese Ukiyo-e landscapist of his generation, bringing the traditional artform of the Edo Period into the twentieth century.

His love for the Japanese landscape was born in his childhood, where due to ill health, he spent much time in the hot-spring resort of Shiobara where his aunt lived. 

In 1907-1909, Kawase studied Western-style art at the Hakuba-kai (White Horse Society). It was at this time that the artist turned to his family connections in the kabuki theatre to earn a living illustrating Sashi-e (woodblock prints designed for books and magazines of a specific literary or narrative focus), posters, and patterns for sashes. Kawase went on to design actors’ portraits for the magazine ‘Engei shashincho’ in the 1920s, before designing stage sets later in his career.

Throughout his career Kawase travelled around Japan drawing the idyllic landscapes, capturing the beautiful scenery and changing seasons. After travelling, he would return to the print houses where he worked closely with the team of carvers and printers, inspiring new, subtler effects in the medium.