Shin Hanga: the rebirth of Japanese printmaking

At the beginning of the 20th century, traditional Japanese printmaking (ukiyo-e) appeared to be in decline. Photography and lithography were gaining popularity, and classical techniques were at risk of being forgotten. Thanks to the efforts of the publisher Watanabe Shōzaburō, printmaking was revived in a new, contemporary form: Shin Hanga — literally 'new prints'. In this movement, artists, block carvers, printers, and publishers worked closely together to create high-quality prints that blended traditional methods with modern sensibilities.

Master of landscapes

Kawase Hasui (1883–1957) began his artistic career relatively late, producing his first prints at the age of 35. His landscape works were the result of extensive sketching trips across Japan. While his predecessors often focused on famous landmarks, Hasui frequently chose intimate, serene scenes, revealing lesser-known locations that he believed captured the true essence of Japan. This approach proved highly successful, and his prints were eagerly collected both in Japan and the United States.

Vanished works

Hasui worked during a time of great turmoil and change, which certainly influenced his career. When Tokyo was struck by a devastating earthquake on 1 September 1923, the premises of the publisher Watanabe were destroyed, along with all the woodblocks and print stocks that had been produced by Hasui up to that point. Hasui’s sketchbooks were also lost. As a result, prints created before the earthquake are extremely rare. This exhibition offers the public a unique opportunity to admire more than thirty of Hasui’s early works.

Rebuilding from ruins

Both Hasui and Watanabe survived the bombing of Tokyo during World War II, and this time their stock of prints was spared. Amid the ruins of the devastated city, they quickly resumed their work. Despite the preceding years of war, demand for Japanese prints in the United States remained high, largely thanks to American soldiers stationed in Japan. Watanabe capitalised on this opportunity, and soon large quantities of works were being exported.

Printmaking and illustration

The exhibition not only features Hasui's prints but also highlights a lesser-known side of his artistry: illustrations for menus, magazines, posters, and postcards. These works shed new light on his versatility and reveal how his style evolved over the years. The pieces on display have been lent by private collectors and institutions in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

Capturing the soul of Japan

In the West, Hasui is regarded as a key shaper of Japan's image, with an impressive oeuvre of more than 600 prints that continue to be admired worldwide. Japan Museum SieboldHuis proudly presents the first European exhibition dedicated to Hasui.

Catalogue and activities

An extensive catalogue has been published to accompany the exhibition, produced by Ludion, featuring more than 250 illustrations and short essays on various aspects of Hasui's life and work. A diverse programme of activities for visitors of all ages provides further insight into Kawase Hasui. Capturing the Soul of Japan. For children aged 6 to 12, a free treasure hunt is available.