A Ball, from the series "Twelve Subjects of Children" (Komodo junidai, temari)
by Kawase Hasui
by Kawase Hasui
Edition period is the primary value driver for Hasui prints. Pre-war lifetime editions with the Watanabe copyright seal (A through D types) consistently achieve 3–5× the price of posthumous reprints of the same design. Condition is the second key factor — unfaded colors, full margins, and absence of foxing or staining are essential. Subject matter (snow > rain > night > other) provides a further modifier within each edition tier.
A temari (hand-stitched decorative ball) is the subject of this February 1931 print from the Twelve Subjects of Children series — one of Hasui's rare departures into figure and object subjects featuring children's play objects. The temari ball, wrapped in brilliantly colored silk thread in geometric patterns, was a traditional New Year's toy, and the print likely shows the ball against a plain background or in a child's hands. The Twelve Subjects of Children series gave Hasui a domestic and intimate subject completely outside his landscape repertoire.
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
A Ball, from the series "Twelve Subjects of Children" (Komodo junidai, temari) was created by Kawase Hasui (川瀬巴水) in February 1931.
Yes — A Ball, from the series "Twelve Subjects of Children" (Komodo junidai, temari) is part of the Twelve Subjects of Children series by Kawase Hasui.
A Ball, from the series "Twelve Subjects of Children" (Komodo junidai, temari) uses Bokashi, Nishiki-e, and Moku-hanga, on color woodblock print.
A Ball, from the series "Twelve Subjects of Children" (Komodo junidai, temari) was published by Watanabe Shozaburo (February 1931).
A Ball, from the series "Twelve Subjects of Children" (Komodo junidai, temari) depicts children and daily life.
A Ball, from the series "Twelve Subjects of Children" (Komodo junidai, temari) measures 24 × 36.3 cm (Oban format).
