Hasui Kawase (Japan, 1883-1957), “Zojoji Temple in Snow,” vertical oban color woodblock print depicting Tokyo’s famous Zojo-ji Temple in a snowstorm at night. A woman or bijin whose face is hidden behind an umbrella walks through the foreground. With embossing to umbrella. From Hasui’s Twenty Views of Tokyo series. Published by Shozaburo Watanabe with the publisher’s “D” seal, used 1931-1941, lower-right margin. With Hasui’s seal in image, lower left. Inscribed in pencil on window mat “Original Print,” “Zojoji Temple in Snow,” and “Hasui.” Stamped “Made in Japan” en verso. Window mat is from the original dealer, the Shima Art Company, New York. Housed under glass in an ebonized wood frame with gilt inset and black mat with tan reveal. Sheet: 15 7/16″ H x 10 1/4″ W. Plate: 14 1/4″ H x 9 7/16″ W. Note: This is a rare 1931-33 impression of Hasui’s most celebrated and sought-after print, and one of the iconic images of all of shin-hanga (new prints) – an early 20th-century movement focused on revitalizing the traditional ukiyo-e genre. Hasui was among the leaders of this influential group of artists and Shozaburo Watanabe its most important publisher. The block was cut in 1925 and printed in multiple editions between 1925 and 1933. E. T. Shima had a shop in Nashville before moving to New York in 1905. His Shima Art Company specialized in selling Japanese prints to American collectors.

PROVENANCE: The collection of Jean Rippy, Franklin, Tennessee.

CONDITION: Overall very good condition. Slight fading and toning throughout, except for 1/4″ area by left margin and 1/8″ area by right and lower margins that have been hidden under mat. Pinhole marginal puncture to upper-left corner. Mounted to backing with pinpoints of glue to left and right corners of sheet’s upper edge.