Autumn foliage subjects by Hasui are popular but trade at a slight discount to his snow and rain scenes — the seasonal color is inherently pleasing but less technically demanding than atmospheric precipitation effects. Pre-war lifetime editions command the strongest premiums; combined subjects (autumn foliage with rain, twilight, or temple architecture) approach rain and night scene pricing. Pre-earthquake impressions (before September 1923) are the rarest of all, as the Kanto Earthquake destroyed Watanabe's workshop and most early blocks.
Autumn at the Arayu Hot Spring at Shiobara, published in Autumn 1920, depicts the Arayu onsen — a hot spring within the Shiobara gorge — in an autumnal setting with maple and birch foliage turning on the gorge walls. The Nude tag indicates this composition likely includes a figure in or near the outdoor rotenburo hot spring bath, one of Hasui's rare figure-inclusive subjects. The autumn 1920 date and Shiobara setting connect this to his earliest series of spa and nature subjects from the Tochigi mountain region, when he was still defining the vocabulary of what would become his signature landscape style.
Mutsu Tsuta onsen
1919
Color woodblock print; oban
1943
Color woodblock print
1924
Color woodblock print
Woodblock print
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Autumn at the Arayu Hot Spring, Shiobara was created by Kawase Hasui (川瀬巴水) in Autumn 1920.
Autumn at the Arayu Hot Spring, Shiobara uses Bokashi, on woodblock print, ink and color on paper.
Autumn at the Arayu Hot Spring, Shiobara was published by Watanabe Shozaburo (Autumn 1920).
Autumn at the Arayu Hot Spring, Shiobara depicts nude and autumn foliage.
Autumn at the Arayu Hot Spring, Shiobara measures 36 × 24.3 cm (Oban format).
