Hasui Kawase Mishima River, Mutsu Province 1919 Woodblock Art Print

A stillness descends upon the coast as a vivid yellow moon rises over the dark silhouette of Mutsu Province. This print illustrates the 1919 masterwork of Kawase Hasui, showcasing a cluster of rustic wooden dwellings perched near the water’s edge.

About Kawase Hasui

In 1956 Hasui was named a Living National Treasure in Japan. Hasui travelled across Japan sketching quiet temples, snowy streets, moonlit lakes and rain. A finished woodblock print could require a dozen or more separately carved blocks. The original image dates from 1919. Japanese woodblock prints were made by carving a separate block for each colour and printing them in sequence.

Styling this Kawase Hasui print

Blue and yellow tones give this Kawase Hasui print a vibrant character that holds a room. “Kawase Mishima River” works as a 24×36″ statement piece above a console, or at 12×18″ to 16×20″ in a hallway or gallery wall. Finish “Kawase Mishima River” with a natural wood frame with a cream mat: its blue and yellow palette pairs naturally with white walls, navy or denim textiles and pale oak.

At a glance

• Type: Kawase Hasui print
• Artist: Kawase Hasui
• Year: 1919
• Style: Japanese woodblock printing
• Colours: blue and yellow
• Mood: vibrant
• Subject: Water
• Orientation: portrait
• Collections: Kawase Hasui Prints, Japanese Woodblock Prints