KAWASE HASUI - Evening at Sōemon-chō

THE ARTWORK

"Evening at Sōemon-chō, Osaka" is a woodblock print created by Kawase Hasui in 1933. The print depicts a bustling street scene in the Sōemon-chō district of Osaka, Japan at dusk. The district was known for its teahouses and geisha entertainment.

The print is a wonderful example of Hasui's mastery of light and shadow. The warm glow of the paper lanterns illuminates the street, while the buildings in the background are shrouded in darkness. The use of perspective creates a sense of depth, drawing the viewer into the scene.

THE ARTIST

Kawase Hasui (1883–1957) was a prominent Japanese artist renowned for his mastery of woodblock prints, particularly landscapes. Born in Tokyo, Hasui initially trained in Western-style painting before transitioning to woodblock printing under the guidance of master printmaker Kaburagi Kiyokata. Influenced by traditional Japanese art and Western impressionism, Hasui developed a unique style characterized by vivid colors, meticulous detail, and a keen sense of atmosphere.

Hasui's prints often depicted serene landscapes, capturing the beauty of Japan's natural scenery and the changing seasons with remarkable sensitivity. He collaborated extensively with publisher Watanabe Shōzaburō, contributing to the shin-hanga ("new prints") movement of the early 20th century, which sought to revive traditional Japanese printmaking techniques while incorporating modern artistic sensibilities. Today, his prints are highly sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts worldwide, preserving his legacy as one of Japan's most celebrated printmakers.

THE PRINT

• A4 Size = 29.7cm x 21cm = 11.7" x 8.25"
• A3 Size = 42cm x 29.7cm = 16.5" x 11.7"
• High resolution giclée print - 600dpi
• Printed to order
• Unframed & unmounted
• Professionally printed using Canon imagePROGRAF printers
• Digitally restored by OharaPrints from high resolution scans of the original artwork
• Made in and shipped from Casterton, Victoria, Australia

PAPER

• Canson Infinity - Arches BFK Rives White
• Paper weight = 310gsm
• 100% cotton
• Archival, museum grade
• Acid free
• No OBAs (optical brightening agents)

Arches BFK Rives is a high-quality, archival-grade paper manufactured at the Arches paper mill in France - one of the oldest papermakers in Europe. It is made from 100% cotton rag using a time-honoured manufacturing process, giving the paper exceptional durability, longevity, and resistance to yellowing or deterioration over time. Despite its substantial weight and thickness it maintains a very soft and supple feel. The paper has a natural white tone and is completely free of any optical brighteners (OBAs), allowing for superb colour rendition and deep blacks.

INK

• Canon Lucia Pro Inks
• Pigment based
• Archival, museum-grade
• Brilliant colours, even gradient and razor-sharp lines
• Highly stable and fade resistant, excellent humidity-fastness

SHIPPING & HANDLING

• All orders are dispatched on the NEXT BUSINESS DAY after receiving the order
• All prints are shipped via AUSTRALIA POST with TRACKING
• For postage rates and estimated delivery times please see our SHIPPING page
• All prints are shipped flat, not rolled
• Each print is individually placed into a resealable, archival grade plastic protective sleeve
• Prints are carefully packaged in very sturdy 700gsm cardboard envelopes, along with 1050gsm boxboard sheets which provide extra strength & rigidity to prevent bending or folding during transit