Lot 692: 3 Shin Hanga Japanese Woodblock Prints Incl. Hasui, Soseki, & Arai

Item 1: Hasui Kawase (Japanese, 1883-1957) horizontal oban color woodblock print entitled “Sakurada Gate of the Imperial Palace,” 1928. From the series Twenty Views of Tokyo. The gate, palace wall, and a single lantern reflect on a body of water at night. A later impression, with Watanabe J or K seal (approx. 6mm), lower left. Signed and sealed lower right, within image, and with publisher information and 1928 date to lefthand margin. Inscribed “Sakurada-mon (gate)” and “Hasui Kawase” in pencil, lower margin. Housed under glass in a silvered and ebonized wood frame with gray mat and black reveal. Sheet: 9 3/4 in H x 14 7/8 in W. Frame: 15 3/8 in H x 20 in W. Item 2: Soseki Komori (Japanese, fl. 1920s-30s) kacho-ga color woodblock print entitled “Moorhens in the Rain,” c. 1930. Two black birds stand beneath lotus leaves as raindrops strike the surface of a shallow body of water. Housed under glass in a wooden frame with beige textile mat. Sight: 13 1/2 in H x 7 1/8 in W. Frame: 20 1/2 in H x 13 3/4 in W. Item 3: Arai Yoshimune (Japan, 1863-1941) AKA Utagawa Yoshimune II color woodblock print entitled  “A Fishing Boat,” c. 1910-1938. From the series Hasegawa’s Night Scenes. A fisherman guided by a lantern tends to the sail of a small boat. Above, figures cross a small bridge that cuts through a starry sky. Housed under glass in a distressed, silvered frame with cream textile mat. Sheet: 10 1/4 in H x 7 1/8 in W.

PROVENANCE:

Estate of Dr. Allen E. Johnson.

CONDITION:

All items in overall very good condition. 1st item is laid to backing board and trimmed.  2nd item’s frame with minor abrasions. 3rd item with kento mark, lower left. Not examined out of frames.