Snow scenes represent Hasui's most valuable and technically innovative subject category — he developed specialized carving techniques specifically for depicting falling snow. These subjects carry a consistent 30–50% premium over comparable non-snow designs. Evening Snow at Kambara (a landmark design) achieved $7,200 at Tokyo auction (2024) for a Taisho-era impression. Pine Trees After Snow (first/limited edition) sold for $4,300 at Artelino (2021). Winter Moon over Toyama Moor, combining snow and night effects, reached $3,600 (2022). Pre-war lifetime editions bearing the Watanabe copyright seal (A through G types, 1926–1944) are the most desirable.
Late Snow Along the Edo River, published in 1932, depicts the Edogawa — the lower section of the Tone River's western outflow, forming the boundary between Tokyo and Chiba — under late-season snowfall that whitens the flat river banks and marshes of this wide, slow-moving watercourse on the eastern edge of the Kanto plain. The late snow (the March or April snowfall that comes after the apparent arrival of spring) has a particular atmospheric character: the white accumulation against the green of emerging spring vegetation, the low gray sky contrasting with the first signs of seasonal change. The [bokashi](/glossary/bokashi) sky captures the muted palette of this transitional weather.
Woodblock print
c. 1832/38
Color woodblock print; oban
Yuki no Miyajima
1929
Color woodblock print; oban
1932
Woodblock print
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Late Snow Along Edo River was created by Kawase Hasui (川瀬巴水) in 1932.
Late Snow Along Edo River uses Bokashi, on woodblock print.
Late Snow Along Edo River was published by Watanabe Shozaburo (1932).
Late Snow Along Edo River depicts snow scenes and rivers & lakes, set at Tokyo.
