Snow at Ueno, Kiyomizudo

Among the most frequently reprinted of Hasui's Ueno subjects, this composition of Kiyomizudo in winter snow represents a later impression of the design. The octagonal hall, associated with Kannon worship since the early Edo period, anchors the composition with its prominent curved roof. Impressions later in a print run typically show some reduction in tonal subtlety as the woodblocks wear, particularly in sky bokashi passages. The composition's enduring appeal relates to its balance of architectural specificity — the hall is immediately identifiable — with the universal seasonal subject of snow. Hasui produced over six hundred designs during his career, and Ueno Park subjects recur across multiple series, reflecting both the location's accessibility from his Tokyo studio and its photogenic seasonal character.