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From the exhibition

Saishoin Temple at Hirosaki

Kawase Hasui, Japanese, 1883 – 1957 · 1920

Saishoin Temple at Hirosaki
Kawase Hasui's snow scene depicts a Buddhist temple complex in winter. Multiple rooflines with characteristic blue-tiled eaves and white snow accumulation dominate the composition, while tall cryptomeria trees frame the left side in mist. A solitary figure in yellow hood and blue robe stands at the gate, establishing human scale against architectural mass. Hasui's shin-hanga technique—woodblock printing with Western perspective—merges Japanese landscape tradition with modern printmaking. His winter temple scenes became iconic subjects in early 20th-century Japanese prints, balancing architectural detail with atmospheric effect through careful color separation and registration.

Public domain, restored and presented by comicbooks.com CC0