Hasui Kawase Rain in Nisaka 1942 Woodblock Japanese Art Print

The steady rhythm of falling rain transforms the stone-paved streets into a reflective mirror of the evening sky. In this 1942 masterpiece, a solitary figure carrying a child on their back navigates the narrow corridor of traditional wooden houses, their forms silhouetted against the cool, damp atmosphere of a quiet village.

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. Ukiyo-e, ‘pictures of the floating world’, flourished in Japan from the 17th to the 19th century. The original image dates from 1942. Kawase Hasui (1883–1957) was a leading artist of shin-hanga, the 20th-century revival of Japanese woodblock printing.

Styling this Kawase Hasui print

This Kawase Hasui print pairs a moody atmosphere with a blue palette that is easy to build a room around. Hang “Kawase Rain in Nisaka” above a sofa, sideboard or bed: 20×30″ or 24×36″ for impact, 12×18″ for a smaller wall. Finish “Kawase Rain in Nisaka” with a natural wood frame with a cream mat: its blue palette pairs naturally with white walls, navy or denim textiles and pale oak.

At a glance

• Type: Kawase Hasui print
• Artist: Kawase Hasui
• Year: 1942
• Style: Ukiyo-e, Japanese woodblock printing
• Colours: blue
• Mood: moody
• Orientation: landscape
• Collections: Kawase Hasui Prints, Japanese Woodblock Prints, Ukiyo-e Japanese Prints