Morning Print in Beppu (1922) by Hasui Kawase

This reproduction of a 1922 print, entitled Morning in Beppu, depicts a port at dusk captured by the artist Hasui Kawase. The scene presents sailboats moored in calm water, surmounted by a discreet crescent moon in a sky of gradient hues. Mountain silhouettes stand out on the horizon, completing this atmospheric study where contrasts of blue, orange, and black create remarkable visual depth.

The work fits into the naturalist tradition of the shin-hanga movement, of which Kawase was a leader. The emphasis here is on the luminous transition between day and night, a recurring theme in his exploration of Japanese landscapes. The hierarchy of elements, between the verticality of the masts and the horizontality of the mountains, demonstrates a mastery of composition aimed at capturing the tranquility of a historic port site.

This illustration is aimed at collectors of maritime landscapes and early Showa era Japanese iconography. It lends itself to detailed observation of chromatic nuances and line strength. As a reproduction of a coastal landscape, it provides documentary value on the atmosphere of traditional fishing ports before their industrial modernization.