Kencho Temple, Kamakura (Kamakura Kenchoji)

Kencho Temple at Kamakura, published in 1933, depicts the Kencho-ji — the oldest of Kamakura's five great Zen temples, founded in 1253 — with its characteristic Chinese-influenced Zen architecture set among the ancient juniper trees that shade the temple's inner courtyard. Kencho-ji's main structures, including the Butsuden (Buddha Hall) and Hojo garden, are among Japan's finest surviving examples of Song-dynasty-influenced medieval Zen architecture. Hasui's 1933 composition brings his atmospheric technique to the dark wood and stone of this ancient temple, the bokashi sky giving the composition the depth appropriate to its subject's age and gravity.