Exploring Kawase Hasui: Searching for Traces of Unknown Landscapes

Kawase Hasui is now attracting great attention not only in Japan but around the world.

He traveled throughout Japan during the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods, creating exquisite landscape paintings that earned him the acclaim of being known as a "poet of travel romance." An avid traveler, Hasui "felt boundless sympathy for the 'unexpected scenery' of the unknown, ordinary townspeople, and places that no one pays attention to" (Hayashi Nozomu).

This book explores the places where Hasui's paintings were created (Ibaraki, Tokyo, and elsewhere). While various discoveries are introduced, it can be said that there is much about Hasui's landscapes that can only be understood by standing in the place. This is perhaps the first attempt to unearth Hasui's work in its local area.

It has been 65 years since Hasui passed away. Traces of his landscapes still remain. The world he saw, the spirit of his time, and his thoughts emerge one after the other. As a result, you will gain a deeper understanding of Hasui's paintings.

Where on earth was this painting created? This is a travel and exploration report of a trip centered around Ibaraki, as well as Tokyo and Otaru. With a detective-fiction feel, it's a fascinating read. It's also packed with know-how for making all sorts of discoveries. Why not take this book in hand and set out on your own journey of discovery?

Recommended by Nozomu Hayashi (author and bibliographer): "Identifying nameless landscapes one by one is an incredible achievement."

Written by Nozomu Hayashi (recommendation), Noboru Suzuki, Tomoyuki Someya, Toshiyuki Igarashi, Tamiyo Kashiwabara, Yoko Kato, Miho Koiwa, Keiko Sukegawa, Keizo Nemoto, Junko Hirayama, and Fumiko Fukasawa. Also featured is Hasui's Tokyo sketches from after the Great Kanto Earthquake, on display for the first time. Delivered in full color.