Introduction
Kawase Hasui (1883–1957), often referred to as the "Poet of Travel" and the "Hiroshige of the Showa Era," was a pivotal figure in the shin-hanga ("new prints") movement. His evocative woodblock prints, capturing the serene beauty of Japan's landscapes, continue to resonate with audiences worldwide. This article delves into Hasui's life, his artistic journey, and the enduring legacy of his work.
Early Life and Artistic Aspirations
Kawase Hasui was born in 1883 in Shiba Ward, Tokyo, and loved to draw pictures from an early age. However, his family ran a drapery business, and it was considered natural for him to take over the family business. Hasui also helped out at the store from an early age.
Nevertheless, Hasui was unable to break free of his yearning to become a painter, and when the family business began to fall apart, he left it to his younger sister and her husband, and in 1908, at the age of 25, he tapped the door of Japanese-style painter Kaburaki Kiyokata. However, Kiyokata was reluctant to accept a late starter who was already in his mid-twenties, and encouraged him to pursue Western-style painting, which was on the rise at the time.
Under the tutelage of Okada Saburosuke, Hasui honed his skills in Western techniques. Two years later, he was accepted by Kaburagi and received the art name "Hasui".
Encounter with the Shin-Hanga Movement and the Tragedy of the Great Kanto Earthquake
In 1918, Hasui began collaborating with publisher Watanabe Shōzaburō, a key proponent of the Shin-hanga movement.Their partnership led to the creation of numerous prints that blended traditional Japanese aesthetics with Western realism.However, the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 shook Hasui's life once again. His home was completely destroyed by fire, as were all of the 188 sketchbooks he had accumulated over the years. Hasui lost his vast collection of sketches in an instant, which is the emotional stronghold for an artist, and he was plunged into the depths of despair.
The Support of Watanabe Shōzaburō and a Journey to Make a Fresh Start
Hasui was supported by his publisher, Watanabe Shōzaburō. With his encouragement and support, Hasui decided to pick up his pen again and embark on a journalistic journey.
In 1924, he traveled to the Kansai region, in 1932 to the Tohoku region and Hokkaido, and in 1939 to the Korean Peninsula, where he continued to sketch the scenery of each region. These energetic research trips expanded his artistic world and produced many of his best-known landscape prints.
The World of Hasui Kawase, a Favorite of Steve Jobs
In fact, Apple founder Steve Jobs is also known as an avid collector of Hasui. As a young boy, Jobs came across a print by Hasui hanging in the living room of a friend's house and was fascinated by it. He was fascinated by the serenity, poetic sentiment, and perfectly calculated compositional beauty of Hasui's prints, which he admired in his devotion to Zen and Japanese culture.
Conclusion
Hasui was a late bloomer but never gave up on his dream of becoming a painter. He was a “Poet of Travel” who left his family business and overcame difficulties time and again. Although he lost everything in the Great Kanto Earthquake, the beautiful Japanese landscapes he painted on his many new journeys still soothe the hearts of many people and invite them to travel.
If you’d like to explore more of Hasui’s beautiful woodblock prints, be sure to visit our Kawase Hasui Collection Page. Discover timeless masterpieces that continue to captivate art lovers around the world.
