Mid 20th Century Japanese Woodblock Print Evening at Tago Bay by Kawase Hasui

Details

Description

This print by Kawase Hasui (1883–1957), entitled Evening at Tago Bay (Tago no ura no yube), from the series Selected … Read more This print by Kawase Hasui (1883–1957), entitled Evening at Tago Bay (Tago no ura no yube), from the series Selected Views of the Tokaido Road (Tokaido fukei senshu) was created in Showa 15th year 1940.
Consists of 26 prints, the series was created between 1931 and 1947. Evening at Tago Bay is one of the beloved images Hasui created of the Mt Fuji in this series. It depicts a farmer heading home after a day's work with a full wagon load of hay on a horse drawn cart. His silhouette is seen between the pine groves under the towering Mt Fuji, glowing in the setting sun.
Signed with artist's name and his read seal in plate lower right corner. The left lower corner bears the 6mm round seal of Watanabe Shozaburo (used intermittently between 1915-1989). Title and date were on the left margin. It is not possible to date the print precisely based on the seal, but this piece was likely a prewar print. It has a strong impression and wonderful color with subtlety.
Reference:
A comparable print bearing the same publisher's seal can be found in the collection of Boston MFA Accession Number 50.2889 and Chicago Institute of Art Accession no. 1990.607.714. See less