Visions of Japan: Kawase Hasui's Masterpieces

by Kendall H. Brown

"Visions of Japan: Kawase Hasui's masterpieces brings together in a single volume one hundred of the artist's most celebrated prints. Fully illustrated, this publication includes annotated descriptions for each work, as well as two essays on Hasui's life and work by Dr. Kendall H. Brown." Kawase Hasui (1883-1957) is considered the foremost Japanese landscape print artist of the 20th century, and he is most closely associated with the pioneering Shin-hanga (New prints) publisher Watanabe Shozaburo (1885-1962). Hasui's work became hugely popular, not only in his native Japan but also in the West, especially in the United States. His valuable contribution to the woodblock print medium was acknowledged in 1956, a year before his death, when he was honoured with the distinction of 'Living National Treasure'.

Genres: Art, Japan, Japanese Literature, Art Design

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Maren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hasui is my favorite Japanese woodcut artist. He is a later artist (1883-1957) and layers color magnificently. He tends to focus on landscapes rather than individuals. Although there are some striking city scenes he is at his best when the subject is trees or snow or waterfalls. This book offers beautiful color reprints of his art. It is not complete but has representative work and is a better price than the larger volumes of his work.

[Matt Ely · Rating 4 out of 5]

The text can be useful contextual framing, though I would recommend starting with the art to have some sense of what it's referencing. The art itself is obviously the focus here, and it rewards looking through repeatedly. You'll find something here that sings your kind of song, evoking or implying something that makes sense to you in its silence.

I think its this silence, something the text is afraid to break, that accounts for how it structures its notes at the end of the book. So if you want more details on specific pieces, you'll be doing a lot of flipping back and forth. I don't know that this is preferable, given the wide, empty margins on most pages. But I can see how, for some readers, commentary text could overwhelm the image itself. Perhaps it's better for re-reading once you've processed the notes, but I would have preferred to have them on the page.

You can read through this slowly or quickly, but it's a good time either way.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book to look through. Some of Hasui’s works are stunning and I’m particularly drawn to all the snow prints. Such a variety of textures depicted. A beautiful thing.

[Pollypollack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and inspiring illustrations. I especially love his depictions of snow and rain.

[Bumbles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really beautiful woodcuts and very easy on the eyes. Loved some of the nighttime prints.

[Jason Keenan · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://101booksjapan.blogspot.ca/

A wonderful introduction to Kawasaki Hasui. First off the collaboration outlined in the story of how the prints came to be make me hungry to find out more about the artist's life.

It's wonderful to see the modern take on the woodblock prints of old and how the art had evolved since the era of Hokusai and Hiroshige.

Definitely a volume to looked at again and again.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly beautiful. This book is a selection of 100 of the artist's prints. He excels at scenes of moonlight, falling snow, and rainstorms. Anyone want to give $400 so I can buy the two-volume catalogue raisonee of Hasui's complete works?