Hasui Kawase was one of the most prominent artists of the shin-hanga movement in early 20th-century Japan. The woodblock prints of previous periods focused on recognizable geographic places, whereas the modern printmakers gave primacy to the mood of a place. Especially their persistent interest in depicting light characterizes the dreamlike atmosphere in their prints. Artists such as Kawase Hasui expressed a romantic yearning for nature, rural roots and the warm wooden architecture that was disappearing in urban Tokyo.
Two more woodblock print artists previously featured:
Tom Killion — Toshio Saeki
Or browse artists whose work is inspired by a deep love for places and landscapes: Topophilia on DOP
