This is an original shin-hanga woodblock print by Kawase Hasui, titled 'Morning in Pyongyang,' created in 1940. The image depicts a quiet courtyard scene, showcasing Hasui's mastery of composition and subtle color. The print measures approximately 10 1/4 x 15 inches and has been significantly altered from its original state; the margins have been trimmed, and a silver and textile border has been added. The accompanying label identifies the piece as 'Kawase Hasui (1883-1957) Modan Viewpoint, Pyongyang, Korea, Korean View Supplement, 1940.'
Kawase Hasui (川瀬 巴水, 1883-1957) was a prominent Japanese artist and one of the foremost figures in the shin-hanga ('new prints') movement of the 20th century. He is celebrated for his atmospheric and nostalgic landscape prints (fūkei-ga), which beautifully capture the effects of light, weather, and season. Hasui traveled extensively throughout Japan and Korea, creating on-site sketches that formed the basis for his woodblock prints. He had a long and fruitful collaboration with the publisher Watanabe Shōzaburō, who was instrumental in the success of the shin-hanga movement. In 1956, near the end of his life, the Japanese government honored Hasui by designating him a Living National Treasure for his significant contributions to Japanese art.