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Lake Haruna in Autumn

White Plum from the book Nihon no Hana
 

Japanese Color Woodblock Print

Lake Haruna in Autumn

from the portfolio

Hanga kanshōkai sakuhin-shū, Volume 2

by Maekawa Senpan, 1959/1960

White Plum from the book Nihon no Hana


IHL Cat. #1417

About This Print

This colorful small print presents us with a view of the boathouse on Lake Haruna, a crater lake sitting on top of Mount Haruna.  Interestingly, Maekawa has chosen to give us only a partial view of Mt. Harunafuji, its right flank shown on the left, a lava dome shaped like Mt. Fuji that arises out of the lake. 

This print was included in the second of two portfolios of twelve prints each published by Hanga kanshōkai, titled Hanga kanshōkai sakuhin-shū

For another print in this portfolio see Sōmon by Yamaguchi Gen (1896-1976).

Hanga Kanshōkai Sakuhin-shū 
(Collection of Works by the Woodblock Print Appreciation Society)

From what I can deduce from available information, this two volume portfolio consisting of twenty-four small format prints by fifteen artists was published by the Yokohama publisher Chikuhōdō [竹芳洞 or 竹芳堂], under the name Hanga kanshōkai (Woodblock Print Appreciation Society), in 1959 or 1960 and re-issued at least once in 1980.*  The two-volume portfolio was originally issued in a limited edition of 700 copies for volume 1 and 500 copies for volume 2.  Each print was tipped-in to a mat measuring 14 1/2 x 11 1/8 in. (36.8 x 28.3 cm).  The prints along with a table of contents were placed in a brown paper envelope, as shown below.  It appears that some of the prints in the two portfolios were re-issues of earlier designs.

* the portfolios shown or referenced on line are variously dated 1958 by Saru Gallery, c. 1960 by Scholten Japanese Art, 昭和50年頃(c. 1975) by Yamada-Shoten and  昭和55 (1980) by the Japanese Association of Antique Book Dealers Natsume Books and the Aomori Museum. 

Prints included in Volume 1:

click on image to enlarge

1. Onsen by Maekawa Senpan (1888-1960)
2. Shirasagi Castle by Hashimoto Okiie (1899-1993)
3. Autumn leaves by Mizufune Rokushu (1912-1980)
4. Nasu in spring by Mabuchi Toru (1920-1994)
5. Child of the flowers by Takei Takeo (1894-1983)
6. Oku-nikko by Maeda Masao (1904-1974)
7. Suichuka-Artificial flower in the water by Seimiya Hitoshi (1886-1969)
8. Yamagata Daikoku Dance by Miyao Shigeo (1902-1983)
9. Toys by Hatsuyama Shigeru (1897-1973)
10. Pigeon in Florence by Sekino Junichiro (1914-1988)
11. Red face by Azechi Umetaro (1902-1999) 
12. Kitten by Inagaki Tomoo (1902-1980)

Prints included in Volume 2:

click on image to enlarge

1. Photography Studio (18.7 x 14 cm), by Kawakami Sumio (1895-1972)
2. Crystal (17.7 x 13.4 cm), by Maeda Masao (1904-1974)
3. Autumn at Lake Haruno (13.3 x 15.2 cm), by Maekawa Senpan (1888-1960)
4. Castle in Autumn (Matsue Castle) (17.5 x 12.7 cm), by Hashimoto Okie (1899-1993)
5. Somon (22.6 x 14.2 cm), by Yamaguchi Gen (1896-1976)
6. Stone Fish (21.8 x 14.7 cm), by Mizufune Rokushu (1912-1980)
7. Interior Still Life (21.2 x 13.1 cm), by Kawanishi Hide (1894-1965)
8. Haniwa (19 x 14.3 cm), by Mabuchi Toru (1920-1994)
9. Flower and Bird (12.6 x 17.2 cm), by Takei Takeo (1894-1983)
10. Poppies (14.2 x 17.7 cm), by Inagaki Tomoo (1902-1980)
11. The Observing Eye (23.8 x 18.2 cm), by Azechi Umetaro (1902-1999)
12. Moulin de la Galette, Paris (22.6 x 14.7 cm), by Sekino Jun'ichiro (1914-1988)

版画鑑賞会作品集
portfolio covers for volumes 1 and 2 original edition

index for volume 2 original edition

版画鑑賞
Portfolio covers for 1980 edition
click on image to enlarge



Lake Haruna
Source: website of japan-guide.com http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7480.html

Mount Haruna (榛名山, Harunasan) is a 1449 meter high, dormant volcano in Gunma Prefecture, which together with Mount Myogi and Mount Akagi, form the "Three Famous Mountains of Gunma". At the top of Mount Haruna is a large open caldera and crater lake around which a hot spring town and various sporting facilities have been built. Ikaho Onsen also lies along the mountain's eastern slopes.

At the center of Mount Haruna's caldera stands a perfectly symmetrical, cone-shaped projection called Haruna Fuji, due to its resemblance to Mount Fuji. A ropeway leads up to the top of Haruna Fuji, from where one can look out over the surrounding landscape. Several hiking trails lead down from the peak and to other locations around the caldera.

The crater lake at the top of Mount Haruna is known as Lake Haruna and is a popular spot for boating and fishing. Rowboats and swan shaped pedal boats are available to rent for between 700-1500 yen per 30 minutes. In winter, the lake is a popular ice-fishing spot and known for the local wakasagi fish, which are served at restaurants around town throughout the year.


Print Details

 IHL Catalog #1417
 Title/Description
Lake Haruna in Autumn 榛名湖の秋
stamp on the presentation sheet for this print reading:
海岸の赤牛 前川千帆 [Lake Haruna in Autumn, Maekawa Senpan]
限定 500, 内 16 号乕 [Edition of 500, No. 16]
版画鑑賞会 竹芳洞 [Hanga Kanshōkai, seal of Chikuhōdō]
 Series Collection of Works by the Woodblock Print Appreciation Society: Volume 2
 版画鑑賞会作品集 全2冊 Hanga Kanshōkai Sakuhin-shū, ni 
 Artist 
 Maekawa Senpan (1888-1960)
 Signature 
 not signed; 前川千帆 printed on label verso
 Seal
 Publication Date 1985
 Publisher Hanga Kanshōkai 版画鑑賞会 竹芳洞
 Printer likely printed by Chikuhōdo 竹芳洞
 Impression excellent
 Colors excellent
 Condition excellent - several spots of foxing; mounted to original portfolio sheet
 Miscellaneous 
 Genre sosaku hanga (creative prints)
 Format 
 H x W Paper 5 3/16 x 6 in. (13.2 x 15.2 cm )
 H x W Image 4 13/16 x 5 5/8 in. (12.2 x 14.3 cm)  
 Reference Literature 
 Collections This Print