Lake Kawaguchi (Kawaguchi-ko)

Lake Kawaguchi (Kawaguchi-ko) is one of the Fuji Five Lakes (Fujigoko) at the northern foot of Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture, among the most celebrated meisho-e subjects in Japanese landscape art. Hasui's treatment likely positions Mt. Fuji's snow-capped cone above the still lake surface, with its reflection falling across the water—a compositional device central to shin-hanga's atmospheric aesthetic. Pine trees along the shoreline provide dark vertical forms against the horizontal sweep of water and mountain. Graduated bokashi across the sky field and water surface creates tonal continuity between the two planes, a technique requiring careful moisture control on dampened washi before baren impression. Published by Watanabe Shozaburo's workshop, the print would use multiple carved cherry-wood blocks and mineral-based pigments to achieve the layered depth characteristic of Hasui's mature lacustrine designs. Lake Kawaguchi was a well-traveled destination on the route to Mt. Fuji, making it a natural subject for the travel-oriented collecting market Watanabe cultivated.