Rare Prewar First Edition Japanese Woodblock Print Moon at Magome Kawase Hasui

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"Umagome no tsuki (Moon at Umagome) from the series Tokyo Nijukkei (20 Views of Tokyo), is inarguably one of the … Read more "Umagome no tsuki (Moon at Umagome) from the series Tokyo Nijukkei (20 Views of Tokyo), is inarguably one of the most beloved works by Japanese artist Kawase Hasui (1883-1951) created in 1930. Generally regarded as the masterpiece among Hasui's nocturnal designs, the print depicts a full moon peeking out from the clouds behind a giant pine tree. Under the moonlight, a lone thatch-roof farmhouse stands at the end of a field, half-hidden by the bushes. The light illuminating the house outlines the tiny window. The poetic composition and the moody nocturnal color evoke a strong psychological sense of nostalgia and melancholy, makes this work an enduring piece of art. It decorates the cover of extensive reference book, "Kawase Hasui; The Complete Woodblock Prints" by Hotei Publishing.
Watanabe.
This fine print on offer is a rare copy of prewar first edition. The image had a strong impression and has retained a vibrant colors and various shades. Signed with a read seal in plate lower left corner. It bears a C2 type seal from the publisher Watanabe Shozaburo. Commonly referred to as the Sausage seal, it dates the work between July 1932–1942. In addition, there is also an M12 type of oval company stamp on the lower left margin, which served as an export stamp from 1930.
The print has undergone a professional conservation by Patrick McGannon. The work included removal of the old masking tape residues along the margin verso and support in some small area with Japanese paper issues.
Reference: Illustrated at plate 169 of Kawase Hasui Mokuhangashu (Kawase Hasui Catalogue of Woodblock Prints), Narazaki, Muneshige, ed., (Tokyo: Kodansha & Mainichi Shinbun, 1979). See less