Snow Fall at Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto 1932

Hasui Kawase made 'Snow Fall at Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto' without specifying when. This piece lives in a hushed palette of greys and whites that feels so right for a snowy scene, and the process of woodblock printing—layering colors, carving lines—feels as methodical and patient as watching snow fall. Look at the surface; it's so smooth and even, almost like the fresh snow itself. The color isn't built up like in oil painting but laid down in flat planes. And the details! Notice the tiny individual flakes, all so carefully rendered. The reflections on the wooden floors pull you in. I love the lone figure in the distance, a blue umbrella against all the white, a pop of color, a splash of life. This work reminds me of Hiroshige, especially the way he captures a specific place and season with such precision. It’s like Hasui is continuing a conversation, taking what he learned from the masters and making it his own. The work suggests that art isn't just about representation; it's about feeling, atmosphere, and a kind of quiet contemplation.