Morning at Mt. Fuji (Fuji no Asa)
Fuji no Asa
by Kawase Hasui
- Date:
- 1936
- Medium:
- Color woodblock print
- Format:
- Oban
- Dimensions:
- 11.5 × 17.5 cm
- Publisher:
- Watanabe Shozaburo
- Edition:
- Published by Watanabe Shozaburo
- Source:
- Art Institute of Chicago
Typical Price
Mount Fuji subjects carry steady collector interest driven by the mountain's iconic status — the universal shorthand for Japan in Western collections. Hasui's Fuji views are more varied than Hiroshige's canonical series, often featuring the mountain from unusual lakeside or riverside perspectives. Combined subjects (Fuji with snow, rain, or moonlight) command the highest premiums within this category. Pre-war lifetime editions bearing the Watanabe copyright seal (A through G types, 1926–1944) are the most desirable.
- Pre-war lifetime edition (Watanabe seal): $1,200–$4,000
- Postwar lifetime edition (J-seal): $500–$1,800
- Posthumous/Heisei edition: $200–$700
Description
Morning at Mount Fuji (Fuji no Asa), published in 1936, depicts Japan's sacred volcano in the early morning light when its summit catches the first direct sunlight while the surrounding landscape remains in shadow or partial darkness. Dawn subjects of Fuji, showing the peak flushed with alpenglow or emerging from morning mist, were among the most sought-after themes in shin-hanga, and Hasui's 1936 treatment brings his mature atmospheric technique — particularly his sky gradations — to a subject demanding precise rendering of transitional light. The composition likely incorporates lake reflection, tea fields, or pine forest to frame the mountain's profile.
More Prints by Kawase Hasui
More Landscapes Prints
Lake Kugushi in Wakasa Province (Wakasa Kugushiko), from the series Souvenirs of Travel I (Tabi miyage dai isshu)"
Wakasa Kugushiko
1920
Color woodblock print; oban
Autumn Maple Leaves at Takao, from the album Eight Views of Kyoto (Kyôto hakkei)
Woodblock print
The Beach at Kaiganji in Sanuki Province (Sanuki Kaiganji no hama), from the series "Collection of Views of Japan II, Kansai Edition (Nihon fukei shu II Kansai hen)"
1934
Color woodblock print; oban
Tea Kettle, section of a sheet from the series "Mirror of Stone Rubbings of Views of the Provinces" (Kohon meihitsu ishizuri kagami)
n.d.
Woodblock print; ishizuri-e, section of harimaze sheet
Featured in Collections
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Morning at Mt. Fuji (Fuji no Asa) (Fuji no Asa) was created by Kawase Hasui (川瀬巴水) in 1936.
Morning at Mt. Fuji (Fuji no Asa) uses Bokashi, Nishiki-e, and Moku-hanga, on color woodblock print.
Morning at Mt. Fuji (Fuji no Asa) was published by Watanabe Shozaburo (1936).
Morning at Mt. Fuji (Fuji no Asa) depicts landscapes and mount fuji, set at Mount Fuji.
Morning at Mt. Fuji (Fuji no Asa) measures 11.5 × 17.5 cm (Oban format).