Kawase Hasui (1883-1957) | Tenno-ji Temple in Osaka (Osaka Tenno-ji) | Showa period, 20th century

A solitary figure shielded by a parasol wanders through the precincts of the Shitenno-ji [lit. Temple of the Four Heavenly Kings] in Osaka. In the night snowfall, the hazy silhouettes of the temple's main hall (kondo) and five-storied pagoda recede in the distance indicating that the view here is from the temple's north side. Primarily regarded as the great landscape artist of the early twentieth century, it would not be amiss to describe Hasui also as a great artist of buildings. He closely observed his architectural surroundings, rendering the ornate and intricate details, such as the complex bracket systems (tokyo) and curved eaves of shrine and temple structures with acute detail. Within these surroundings, his lone figures conjure an emotional depth and nostalgia for a Japan that had then already undergone substantial change and reform.

For a similar impression of the first state (with Hotei 'B' seal) in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession number 35.1894, go to:

https://collections.mfa.org/objects/247802

Hasui initially formed this design in a painting; the original design (genga) is in the collection of the Edo Tokyo Museum, collection ID 93202461, go to:

https://museumcollection.tokyo/en/works/6250919/

For the proof printing (kyogo-zuri), also in the collection of the Edo Tokyo Museum, collection ID 93202463, go to:

https://museumcollection.tokyo/en/works/6250925/