Two Japanese Woodblock Prints by Okiie Hashimoto (Japanese, 1899–1993): Rainy Day at Osaka Castle, mid-20th century, and Wakayama Castle, 1946; each stamped lower right, depicting historic Japanese castles in contrasting atmospheric settings.

These two works are notable for their bold and expressive handling, departing from the more delicate and finely patterned conventions often associated with traditional woodblock prints. Hashimoto employs strong, decisive carving and simplified forms, creating a sense of monumentality and immediacy. The compositions emphasize mood and structure over intricate detail, with dramatic contrasts of light and shadow enhancing the architectural presence of the castles.

Although Hashimoto also worked in oils, he favored printmaking for its physical engagement with the medium. As he remarked to Oliver Statler in 1956, “I feel I can get more expression from the carving tool than I ever can from the brush… I like the resistance that the block gives me… it’s hard but satisfying.” This sense of resistance is visibly embedded in his line work, where the carved marks retain a tactile force and structural clarity that distinguish his prints from more fluid, brush-like approaches.

Image size: 13 x 10 inches (each).
Frame size: 17 x 20 inches (each).

Each print in fair to good condition. Contact Asian Art Department for condition report.