Lake Matsubara, Shinshu

Distinct from the series of morning views, this print depicts Lake Matsubara under different light conditions, with the title omitting the morning qualifier. Hasui frequently composed multiple prints of the same location at different times of day or in different seasons, and this variant likely presents Matsubara in afternoon, evening, or under overcast conditions that alter the lake's visual character substantially. The Shinshu region around Karuizawa was a popular destination for urban Japanese travelers in the early twentieth century, giving Hasui's depictions of its landscapes both topographic interest and nostalgic appeal for his Tokyo audience. Compositionally, without the mirror-calm of dawn, the water surface may show texture or wind ripple, requiring different technical approaches in the carving and printing of the water passages. Pine-forested shorelines and the distant presence of Mount Asama provide geographic specificity. This print likely belongs to one of Hasui's regional landscape series published through the Watanabe shop during the 1920s or 1930s.