kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Showa era (1926-1989), dated 1933An oban tate-e print, titled on the bottom margin Osaka Soemon-cho no yu (Evening at Soemon-cho, Osaka) from the series Nihon fukei shu II Kansai hen (Collection of Scenic Views of Japan II, Kansai Section), depicting a night-time winter scene showing two maiko walking past an ochaya (tea house), their highly colourful kimono and elaborate obi (sash) trailing behind them, illuminated by the light streaming from an open door, shadows of figures discernible in the distance, in the foreground a couple huddled against the night chill walk closely together, dated Showa hachinen shigatsu saku (Work of the fourth month, Showa 8 [April 1933]), published by Watanabe Shozaburo, Hanken shoyu Watanabe Shozaburo seal on the lower right margin; signed Hasui with Kawase seal. 39cm x 26.3cm (15 3/8in x 10 3/8in).