Artist: Asami Kōjō (浅見古城, 1890–1974) Title: Spring Rain at Betsuin From the series New Publishing of the Famous Places in Nagoya (新名古屋名所版画) Date: ca. 1931–1932 Size: approx. 38 × 24 cm Technique: Multicolored woodblock print (nishiki-e) Condition: Very good. Only a foxing spot in the middle otherwise very well preserved. About the print: This rare print has an appearance closer to a watercolor painting. Asami Kōjō was in fact a painter, and he designed only a small number of woodblock prints. In this atmospheric work, Asami Kōjō depicts the Higashi Betsuin Temple in Nagoya during a gentle spring rain. Fine vertical rain lines fall across the scene, while a blooming cherry willow glows in the foreground with its pink and white blossoms. Visitors walk quietly across the temple grounds under their umbrellas — accompanied by a small dog that adds a warm, everyday touch to the tranquil mood. Soft colors and subtle transitions between sky, roof, and rain create a harmonious, almost meditative atmosphere. A striking example of the regional shin-hanga movement, balancing nature, architecture, and human life in a poetic way. This print has a very unique emotional quality — the atmosphere feels almost otherworldly in person. The colors appear noticeably more vibrant in real life than in photos, especially the cherry blossom tree, which stands out with a luminous pink tone that gives the scene an even stronger sense of depth and serenity. Price Reference: Asami Kōjō’s works are very rare on the market. Prints from the same series are currently listed for USD 1,000 at Collecting Japanese Prints: https://www.collectingjapaneseprints.com/available-prints/p/shin-hanga-asami-kojo-lantern-festival-2