This artwork by Hasui Kawase, created between 1910 and 1924 during the Taisho period, shows a beautiful landscape after a rainstorm. A brilliant rainbow billows over the countryside, illuminated by the clearing sky. The scene shows a river with simple thatched huts lining the bank, while bare trees stand out against the backdrop of a grey sky. The contrast between the dark clouds and the brightly coloured rainbow gives the work a dramatic and hopeful mood. The simplicity and rural nature of the image create a sense of calm and reflection.
Hasui's masterful use of colours and lines perfectly captures the moment of natural beauty after a rainstorm. His technique, inspired by the Ukiyo-e style but with a modern perspective, brings this rural Japanese landscape to life, with the rainbow being a symbol of joy and renewal.
Japanese woodcut in the style of Hasui Kawase, influenced by the traditional Ukiyo-e technique. The work exudes the simplicity and beauty of rural Japanese life, combined with a sense of serenity and a touch of mysticism.
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