Full Moon at Izu-ura, Ibaraki - Hasui Kawase

A serene woodblock print by Hasui Kawase depicting the Rokkakudo pavilion at Izu-ura under a full moon, rendered in atmospheric shades of blue.

Hasui Kawase, a central figure in the Shin-hanga movement, produced this woodblock print in 1932. The work depicts the coastal scenery of Izu-ura in Ibaraki Prefecture under the illumination of a full moon. Kawase was known for his dedication to travelling throughout Japan, sketching scenes directly from nature before translating them into the medium of woodblock printing with the assistance of skilled carvers and printers. The composition is structured around the verticality of the pine trees in the foreground, which frame the hexagonal structure of the Rokkakudo pavilion. The sea stretches towards the horizon, where a small boat is visible, adding a sense of scale and solitude to the scene. The colour palette is dominated by various shades of blue, ranging from the deep indigo of the night sky to the lighter, reflective tones of the water. The moon provides a soft, white glow that creates a path of light across the surface of the sea, a hallmark of Kawase's ability to capture atmospheric conditions. Technically, the print demonstrates the precision of the Shin-hanga process, which sought to revitalise traditional Japanese printmaking by incorporating Western principles of light and perspective. The layering of colours creates a sense of depth, while the clean lines of the architecture contrast with the organic forms of the rocks and trees. This print is representative of the artist's focus on quiet, contemplative subjects, often featuring rural or coastal locations that evoke a specific mood or time of day. The work remains a clear example of the collaborative nature of the medium, where the artist's vision is realised through the expertise of the workshop.