Night at Shinobazu Pond

Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park, Tokyo, was one of Hasui's recurring subjects, and this nocturnal view captures the pond's meditative character after dark. The composition centers on the expanse of water, likely incorporating the silhouette of the Benzaiten shrine on its small island and the lotus vegetation that chokes the pond's surface in warmer months. Moonlight or lamplight traces a pale reflection across the water, contrasting with the dense ink of the surrounding tree masses. Hasui employed bokashi gradation across the sky zone to create a seamless transition from deep indigo at the top to a lighter tone near the horizon. The print belongs to a series of Tokyo landscape subjects Hasui produced in the Taisho and early Showa periods, documenting familiar urban sanctuaries in their evening aspect.