Panoramic view of Iwasaki Family Villa — 大泉水の全景
Artist: Kawase Hasui
Name: Panoramic view of Iwasaki Family Villa — 大泉水の全景
Date: 1920
Description: Wednesday, 25 April 2007 Kawase Hasui Rare Pre-Earthquake Woodblock Print – 1920 This is a very rare Kawase Hasui Japanese woodblock print from the set “Pictures of Mitsubishi Fukagawa Villa” that was commissioned by the Mitsubishi Co. during the early, pre-earthquake days of Hasui’s career and is titled “View of Iwasaki Family Villa” or “Panaromic View of the Daisensui Pond”. From what research I’ve been able to do, it appears that there were only about 500 or 600 copies of this series printed and they were never available commercially – only given as gifts to the guests visiting the villa of Baron Yanosuke Iwasaki. The print blocks were destroyed during an earthquake and resulting fire in 1923. The prints of this series are quite possibly the most rare of the Hausi pieces ever produced. Personally speaking, I would think this print to be the key image of the series as it is an overall view of the area. The image size of the print is 17 7/8″ by 6 9/16″ and the overall size – approximate due to the deckled edges on 2 sides – is 18 11/16″ by 7 1/2″. The Hasui signature and seal are in the top right corner and the circular publisher’s seal is in the bottom left corner. There are minor condition issues, but in general, the print is in very good condition. There is minor, old, faint brown spotting at the bottom corners (particularly noticeable on the back) which a professional restorer has said can be easily removed – if bothersome. There is very minimal overall toning. The masking tape on the right side of the print will be difficult to completely remove but is basically outside the image field. And, to be accurate, there is a ‘wrinkle’ in the paper at the bottom center of the image which was done during printing.
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