Zojoji Temple in Shiba is Hasui's single most recognized subject. Non-snow versions of this temple (Great Gate at Shiba, pond views) remain highly collectible and trade at lower premiums than the iconic snow scene but still outperform most comparable Hasui subjects. Pre-war lifetime editions with the Watanabe seal attract the strongest bidding. Pre-war lifetime editions bearing the Watanabe copyright seal (A through G types, 1926–1944) are the most desirable.
The Pond at Benten Shrine in Shiba, published in 1929, depicts the lotus pond at the Benten shrine within the Shiba park complex in Minato, Tokyo — a small sacred pond centered by a shrine island with a torii gate, surrounded by the wooded park and the mixed architectural landscape of the Shiba district. The Shiba Benten-ike was one of several pond-centered Benten shrines in Tokyo, each offering a similar composition of still water, shrine architecture, and overhanging trees. The oban format and bokashi sky give this intimate urban garden subject the atmospheric scale of a classical landscape.
伏見稲荷
Woodblock print
c. 1832/38
Color woodblock print; oban
Woodblock print
Uji Byodoin no ichibu
1921
Color woodblock print; oban
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
The Pond at Benten Shrine in Shiba (Shiba Benten ike) (Shiba Benten ike) was created by Kawase Hasui (川瀬巴水) in 1929.
The Pond at Benten Shrine in Shiba (Shiba Benten ike) uses Bokashi, Nishiki-e, and Moku-hanga, on color woodblock print; oban.
The Pond at Benten Shrine in Shiba (Shiba Benten ike) was published by Watanabe Shozaburo (1929).
The Pond at Benten Shrine in Shiba (Shiba Benten ike) depicts temples & shrines and rivers & lakes, set at Tokyo, Shiba.
The Pond at Benten Shrine in Shiba (Shiba Benten ike) measures 27.7 × 40.7 cm (Oban format).
