Eijiro Kobayashi, "Evening Cool on the Sumida"

Published starting in the 1910s, the night scene prints of Hasegawa/Nishinomiya are atmospheric and unburdened by large amounts of color. Dominated by palettes of blue and black, the simplicity of the designs are striking.

In this rare sepia colored variant, passengers are preparing to board a pleasure boat on a warm evening on the Sumida River in Tokyo. The water reflects light from the moon and from the temples and buildings silhouetted in the background. The printing in this example is near perfect and showcases an extraordinary attention to detail. An early edition printing with publisher marks on verso.

Date: ca. 1910s to 1920s
Size: Chuban
Publisher: Hasegawa/Nishinomiya (early edition)
Condition: Excellent/fine color and condition
Frame Shown: 16" x 20” x 1/2”, Classic Walnut, Ebony

The artists employed by Hasegawa/Nishinomiya to produce these series of prints include Eijiro, Shoda Koho, Yoshimoto Gesso, and Arai Yoshimune.