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.
Pine Tree in Clear Weather After Snow, published in August 1929, depicts a single or paired pine tree emerging from a snowscape under the clear sky that follows a snowfall — the matsu no yukibare subject that focuses on the pine's sculptural form against a snow-brightened background rather than on the broader landscape. The pine tree (matsu) carries deep symbolism in Japanese aesthetics — longevity, constancy, resilience — and its ability to hold snow on its needles while continuing to assert its sculptural character made it a perennial subject in both poetry and visual art. The August publication date for a snow subject suggests this was a winter print released outside its season.
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.
Pine Tree in Clear Weather after Snow was created by Kawase Hasui (川瀬巴水) in August 1929.
Pine Tree in Clear Weather after Snow uses Bokashi, on woodblock print, ink and color on paper.
Pine Tree in Clear Weather after Snow was published by Watanabe Shozaburo (August 1929).
Pine Tree in Clear Weather after Snow depicts snow scenes and trees.
Pine Tree in Clear Weather after Snow measures 36.2 × 24 cm (Oban format).
