大正から昭和時代にかけて活躍し、新版画の発展に多大なる貢献をした3名の版画家、川瀬巴水（1883-1957）、笠松紫浪（1898-1991）、岡田行一（1900-1976）の作品をご紹介致します。

新版画とは、大正時代（1910年代）に始まり、昭和時代にかけて発展した日本の版画運動のことです。伝統的な浮世絵版画の技術を継承しながら、より写実的な表現や西洋の影響を取り入れたスタイルが特徴です。

こちらの3名の巨匠の作品は、日本各地の風景を美しく描いたものが多く、特に川瀬巴水と笠松紫浪は、日本の自然や町並みを繊細な色彩と光の表現で描きました。岡田行一もまた、風景を題材にした作品を多く制作しました。

また当時、渡辺庄三郎（1885-1962） が経営していた版元、渡邊木版画舗 (通称渡邊版画店) から作品を発表してたことも共通点としてあげられます。庄三郎は新版画の発展に貢献した版元であり、多くの新版画の名作を世に送り出しています。また関東大震災（1923年）により、写生帖などの画業の成果のすべてを失った川瀬巴水の背中を押し、生涯最長となる旅に送り出し、その後の川瀬巴水の活躍に貢献した版元としても有名です。

時代の変化に翻弄され、関東大震災や戦争の影響を受けながらも、生涯にわたり日本の美しい風景を記録し続けた川瀬巴水、笠松紫浪、岡田行一の選りすぐりの風景画の作品をぜひご高覧ください。

川瀬巴水　かわせはすい（1883-1957）
東京都出身。日本の新版画を代表する風景版画家。日本各地の風景を詩的に、叙情的に描いた。「昭和の広重」と称され、国内外で高く評価されている。ダイアナ妃やスティーブジョブスが愛した版画家としても知られる。

笠松紫浪　かさまつしろう（1898-1991）
東京都出身。日本の新版画家で、主に風景版画を制作。川瀬巴水の影響を受けつつ、力強い構図と鮮やかな色彩を特徴とした。渡辺版画店から作品を発表し、国内外で高く評価された。

岡田行一　おかだこういち（1900-1976）
東京都出身。日本の新版画家で、風景版画を中心に制作。渡辺版画店から作品を発表し伝統的な技法を用いた叙情的な風景描写が特徴。

Hasui Kawase (1883-1957), Shiro Kasamatsu (1898-1991), and Koichi Okada (1900-1976) were prominent printmakers who were active from the Taisho era to the Showa era and made significant contributions to the development of the Shin-hanga movement.

Shin-hanga, which emerged in the Taisho era (1910s) and flourished through the Showa era, was a Japanese printmaking movement that preserved the traditional techniques of ukiyo-e while incorporating more realistic expressions and influences from Western art.

The works of these three great masters often depict the beautiful landscapes of Japan. Hasui Kawase and Shiro Kasamatsu, in particular, captured the natural scenery and townscapes of Japan with delicate colors and masterful use of light. Koichi Okada also produced many prints featuring landscapes.

One commonality among these artists is that they published their works through Watanabe Print Shop (Watanabe Mokuhanga), a print publisher run by Shozaburo Watanabe (1885-1962). Watanabe played a crucial role in the development of Shin-hanga, producing many masterpieces of the movement. He is also well known for supporting Hasui Kawase after the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, which destroyed all of Kawase’s sketchbooks and previous works. Watanabe encouraged him to embark on the longest journey of his career, which significantly influenced his later works.

Despite experiencing hardships such as the Great Kanto Earthquake and the impact of war, Hasui Kawase, Shiro Kasamatsu, and Koichi Okada dedicated their lives to capturing and preserving the beauty of Japanese landscapes.

Hasui Kawase (1883-1957)
Born in Tokyo, Hasui Kawase is one of the most renowned landscape printmakers of the Shin-hanga movement. He poetically and lyrically depicted various landscapes across Japan and was often referred to as the “Showa Hiroshige.” His works are highly regarded both in Japan and internationally, and he is also known as a favorite artist of Princess Diana and Steve Jobs.

Shiro Kasamatsu (1898-1991)
Born in Tokyo, Shiro Kasamatsu was a Shin-hanga artist specializing in landscape prints. Influenced by Hasui Kawase, his works feature bold compositions and vivid colors. He published his prints through Watanabe Print Shop and gained recognition both in Japan and abroad.

Koichi Okada (1900-1976)
Born in Tokyo, Koichi Okada was a Shin-hanga artist focusing on landscape prints. He published his works through Watanabe Print Shop, and his prints are known for their traditional techniques and emotive landscape depictions.