Chuzenji, Utagahama

This second edition of the Utagahama subject presents Hasui's view of the lakeshore at Chuzenji under a different atmospheric condition or printing interpretation than the primary version. Lake Chuzenji, formed by a lava dam below Nantai-san volcano, provided Hasui with a dramatic natural backdrop: volcanic peaks reflected in still alpine water. The horizontal format typical of oban-sized landscape prints would allow the mountain silhouette to dominate the upper register while the water occupies the lower half. Variations across editions of this scene may include differences in the sky gradient, foliage color, or the treatment of the shoreline. The Watanabe workshop's precision carving and printing ensured consistent quality across states.