Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
A Cloudy Day at Mizuki, Ibaraki Prefecture
1946 design
Color woodblock print on paper, framed.
Signed Hasui, with the artist's red seal.

This print depicts a coastal village beneath an overcast sky. Dark timber houses and tiled roofs frame a narrow lane descending toward the sea, where white surf breaks along the shore. Small figures, fishing boats, and a bicycle lend the scene a quiet sense of everyday life. Subdued blue-gray tones contrast with the warm earth of the foreground, conveying the softened light and still atmosphere of a cloudy day.

An impression of the same design is held by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, titled Cloudy Day in Mizuki, Ibaraki Prefecture and dated 1946, accession number M.2003.67.43.

{Image size: 9 3/4 x 13 inches (24.8 x 33 cm)}.
{Frame size: 17 x 20 1/2 inches (43.2 x 52.1 cm)}.

Provenance: From the collection of a distinguished Japanese collector in San Jose, California, whose life included travels in Manchuria during the 1930s and incarceration in a U.S. internment camp following the attack on Pearl Harbor. These works bear witness to a precious family history and to the conviction and courage needed to preserve cultural heritage through adversity. Upon receiving the family's photographs, newspaper articles, and archival materials, Michaan's Auctions was deeply moved by their thoughtful preservation and enduring respect for history, culture, and art. We are honored to present treasures from this family collection.

For condition report and additional photos, please contact the Asian Art Department.