Morning at Ao Marsh, Ura Heights (Urabandai Aonumano asa)

Date:: 1949
Medium:: Color woodblock print
Format:: Oban
Publisher:: Watanabe Shozaburo
Edition:: Published by Watanabe Shozaburo
Source:: Art Institute of Chicago

Typical Price

River, lake, and coastal scenes form the largest single category in Hasui's output — steady, popular subjects with consistent demand. Value is driven primarily by edition period (pre-war vs. postwar lifetime vs. posthumous), condition, and the presence of seasonal atmospheric effects. Night and rain variants of water scenes command 20–40% premiums over comparable daytime views. Postwar lifetime editions (1946–1957) bearing the small 6mm J-seal represent authentic lifetime impressions but from the artist's final decade.

Pre-war lifetime edition (Watanabe seal): $800–$3,000
Postwar lifetime edition (J-seal): $350–$1,200
Posthumous/Heisei edition: $150–$500

Description

Ao Marsh at Urabandai (Ura-Bandai) in Fukushima Prefecture was created by the 1888 eruption of Mount Bandai, when the collapse of the north face dammed streams to form a series of brilliantly colored lakes. Morning at the marsh in this 1949 print shows the still water reflecting the volcanic landscape and surrounding forest — the Ao (blue) marsh is noted for its distinctive teal color from dissolved volcanic minerals. The Urabandai lakes are among the most visually unusual natural landscapes in northern Japan.