Japanese art, usually in the form of lithographs, are some of the most beautiful and intriguing art works in the world. There are two prominent masters of the art. Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) is most famous for “Under the Wave off Kanagawa” (often called “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”), part of his 36 Views of Mount Fuji series. The second painter whose works I like is Kawase Hasui (1883-1957). He is often referred to as the "painter of clouds," but I much prefer his winter scenes. I would call him the "painter of snow."
After visiting Japan (where I visited the Hokusai Museum), I also discovered an artist whose paintings decorate the Ninomaru Palace located in Nijo Castle in Kyoto. Tan’ yu (1602-1674) excelled at painting pine trees. The execution of pine needles and trunk are exceptional, but the asymmetrical balance is unmatched. Alamy has an image of one of his best.
Apart from paintings, Japanese architecture and furniture are also impressive. In the Ninomaru Palace I saw shelving (chigaidana) that was asymmetrical and well balanced. Unfortunately, as in the case of the pine tree paintings by Tan’ yu above, no photography was allowed inside the castle.
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| Hokusai - Under the Wave off Kanagawa |
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| Kawase Hasui - Lake Teganuma |
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| Kawase Hasui - Shiba Zojo Temple | Kawase Hasui - Miyajima in Snow |
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| Kawase Hansui - Snow at Sinkyō Bridge, Nikkō |
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