Mito, Ibaraki Pref. –
Admirers of Hasui Kawase, one of Japan’s best-known print artists of the modern era, are banding together to raise awareness of the disappearing waterfront landscapes that he depicted around Lake Kasumigaura as water quality there continues to deteriorate.
Nicknamed “the traveling poet,” Kawase was active in the Taisho Era (1912-1926) and the early decades of the Showa Era (1926-1989) and became famous for his contributions to the shin-hanga, or new prints, movement.
Tomoyuki Someya, a 66-year-old professor at Ibaraki Christian University, has been leading the charge in promoting water quality improvement in Kasumigaura, Ibaraki Prefecture. Someya hopes that by showcasing the artist’s prints of the beautiful Ibaraki Prefecture waterfronts, people will reflect on the pressing water issues facing the region.