The dramatic red sunset behind a Japanese castle makes this one of Kasamatsu's most visually striking Watanabe-published compositions. Standard lifetime editions range from $1,000-$2,500. The vivid sunset coloring required careful bokashi gradation work, and impressions with well-preserved reds are especially valued since fugitive pigments can fade over time.
A Japanese feudal castle — perhaps Kumamoto or Osaka — rises against an extraordinary vermillion sky, its white-walled towers ascending tier by tier as the sun sinks below the horizon. Kasamatsu renders the saturated crimson and orange gradations with masterful [bokashi](/glossary/bokashi) shading, transforming the architectural silhouette into near-abstraction against the burning light. The image captures the bittersweet grandeur of Japan's castle heritage, a subject Kasamatsu returned to throughout his career with unfailing atmospheric intensity.
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Castle in Red Sunset was created by Shiro Kasamatsu (笠松紫浪).
Castle in Red Sunset uses Bokashi, Nishiki-e, and Moku-hanga, on woodblock print.
Castle in Red Sunset was published by Watanabe Shozaburo.
Castle in Red Sunset depicts castles.
