Zojoji Temple in Snow “雪の増上寺 Yuki no Zojoji” - Kawase Hasui 川瀬巴水 (1883-1957) - Japan

Technique: Japanese woodblock print
Artist: KAWASE Hasui 川瀬 巴水 (1883-1957)
Zojoji Temple in Snow "Yuki no Zojoji"
First edition was published in 1929 (Showa 4 / Showa Year 4), this is a later edition printed by Numabe using a newly carved block for Nakajima Sobisha.

This specific piece depicts the historic Zojo-ji Temple in Tokyo blanketed in fresh snow.
The central focus is the temple's striking vermilion-red main gate (the Sanmon), a landmark from the 17th century, which stands in vivid contrast against the pristine white snow and the deep night sky. Flanking the structure are majestic pine trees heavy with snow, their dark branches adding a sense of scale and quiet majesty to the composition. Gentle snowflakes drift downward, evoking a profound stillness and introspection typical of Hasui's atmospheric style.
In the foreground, a solitary figure in traditional kimono, holding a paper umbrella to shield from the falling snow, walks a small dog along a softly illuminated path edged by a low wall. This subtle human element grounds the ethereal scene, suggesting a moment of everyday serenity amid nature's hush. Hasui's masterful use of color—bold reds against cool grays, light blues and whites—along with delicate gradations and woodgrain texture, creates a harmonious balance that draws the viewer into the tranquil winter night.

Condition: Excellent condition, slight defect in the margin.

Dimensions
Paper size: 280 x 415 mm
Image size: 230 x 360 mm

Kawase Hasui is one of the best known artists of the 'Shin Hanga' (new woodblock prints) movement.
Ukiyo-e prints, which were very popular during the Edo period, declined due to the advancement of mass printing technology. Kawase Hasui was one of the artists who established the 'Shin-hanga' to revive printmaking, and he is highly regarded not only in Japan but around the world.
Hasui was born in Tokyo and decided to become an artist in his mid-20s. After studying Western and Japanese painting, he began making prints.
In an era when waves of modernization were sweeping across the country, transforming cities and landscapes rapidly, Kawase Hasui traveled all over Japan in search of the original Japanese scenery and continued to paint the landscapes he encountered throughout his life. He created poetic landscape paintings that incorporated snow, the moon, and flowers into the seasons, reflecting the changing weather and time with naturalistic light, shadow, and texture. The expressive world of his works continues to inspire us even today.
In 1956, towards the end of his life, the government recognized him as a Living National Treasure for his contribution to Japanese culture.

Hasui's works are currently kept in several museums worldwide, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the British Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and many others.


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