Tree In The Four Seasons presents the cycle of nature through a single tree's transformation, a concept with deep roots in Japanese aesthetic philosophy. This contemplative Watanabe-published work sells for $800-$2,200 in lifetime editions. The seasonal progression depicted within a single print format makes it an unusually conceptual work in Kasamatsu's predominantly observational output.
Tree in the Four Seasons is a woodblock print by Shiro Kasamatsu that takes a single tree as its subject across the full cycle of the year. The seasonal progression, from the bare branches of winter through spring blossoms, summer foliage, and autumn color, is one of the most deeply rooted themes in Japanese art, appearing in painted screens, poetry, garden design, and printmaking for centuries. Kasamatsu's choice to focus on a single tree rather than a panoramic landscape concentrates the viewer's attention on the specific changes that mark each season: budding, leafing, fruiting, and shedding. The [oban](/glossary/oban) format gives the composition sufficient scale to render botanical detail while maintaining the intimacy that Kasamatsu preferred in his mature landscape work.
1940
Woodblock print
1934
Color woodblock print; oban
Boshu Taikai
1925
Color woodblock print; oban
September 1931
Color woodblock print; oban
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Tree in the Four Seasons was created by Shiro Kasamatsu (笠松紫浪).
Tree in the Four Seasons uses Bokashi, Nishiki-e, and Moku-hanga, on woodblock print.
Tree in the Four Seasons was published by Watanabe Shozaburo.
Tree in the Four Seasons depicts seascapes and trees.
