Shiba Benten Pond

This impression of Shiba Benten Pond extends the documented series of states for one of Hasui's recurring Shiba Park subjects. In prints of this kind, condition and edition sequence affect the perceived crispness of the key block linework delineating tree bark, pine needle clusters, and the architectural outlines of the distant Zojo-ji gate. Color registration across multiple blocks determines whether the pond reflections read as unified or slightly misaligned, a quality collectors use to date impressions relative to the production run. The compositional formula—enclosed water, vertical pine trunks framing the view, and a receding architectural element—draws on compositional precedents established in Edo-period landscape printing while refining them through the shin-hanga emphasis on atmospheric mood and nuanced color.