The Floating World
Inokashira in Snow (Benten Shrine)
Inokashira no yuki
Kawase Hasui · 1928 (Shōwa 3, on the National Diet Library record)
What it is
Snow covers the red Benten shrine on the pond at Inokashira, and the trees around it bend under the weight.
Why it matters
Hasui designed his first falling-snow print in 1920, and his snow scenes are counted among his most original and best works.
What to notice
The red of the shrine is the only warm colour in a sheet of white and grey.
Snow makes a shrine into a lantern.
The record
- Artist
- Kawase Hasui 川瀬巴水 (1883–1957)
- Date
- 1928 (Shōwa 3, on the National Diet Library record)
- Medium
- woodblock print; ink and color on paper
- Source
- Wikimedia Commons · NDL-DC 2586550-10 Kawase Hasui S03 crd.jpg
Impression note. From the National Diet Library of Japan, through Wikimedia Commons; the library record gives the publication as 1928. Falling snow is printed as fine flecks over the finished sheet, and a clean impression keeps them crisp. Impression variance is real — printings differ in wiping and fading — and choosing the finest openly held impression is the curatorial act.
Public domain; faithfully reproduced.
Bring it home
Printed to order on EMA matte art paper, 200gsm.
More Kawase Hasui
Twenty Views of Tokyo (Tōkyō nijukkei)Moon at MagomeKawase Hasui · 1930 · from $69.00
Kawase HasuiDeparting SpringKawase Hasui · 1925 (Taishō 14, on the National Diet Library record) · from $69.00
Hashiguchi GoyōWoman at the BathHashiguchi Goyō · 1915 · from $69.00
Hashiguchi GoyōWoman Combing Her HairHashiguchi Goyō · 1920The road at your moment — Painted Earth’s ukiyo-e style pack.