Kawase Hasui spent his career travelling Japan in search of moments worth preserving. Autumn at Saruiwa, Shiobara, painted in 1949, is one of the finest results of that pursuit: a mountainscape drenched in the rust and gold of late autumn, where ancient rocks and dense foliage meet in the still, contemplative light that defined his practice. Reproduced here with scrupulous attention to colour fidelity, this 500-piece puzzle brings the full depth and delicacy of Hasui's original woodblock print into your hands.
The art and the artist
Kawase Hasui (1883–1957) is one of the defining figures of the shin hanga (new prints) movement, a twentieth-century flowering of Japanese woodblock printing that balanced traditional technique with Western Impressionist influence. Over a forty-year career he produced more than 600 prints, working closely with publisher Watanabe Shōzaburō to bring his watercolour field sketches to the world market.
His work became particularly celebrated in the United States, and in 1956 he was awarded Japan's highest cultural honour: Living National Treasure. The scene reproduced here, set in the mountainous Shiobara hot spring region of Tochigi Prefecture, is a characteristic example of his gift for rendering the transience of the seasons with extraordinary restraint and precision.
Craftsmanship you can feel
Pomegranate puzzles are built to a standard that most puzzle makers simply don't bother with. The pieces are printed on 250 GSM matte art paper, which eliminates glare and renders colour with a richness and accuracy closer to fine art printing than typical puzzle production. Ribbon-cut thick board means each piece locks snugly into its neighbours with a satisfying fit and minimal puzzle dust. The board itself is produced from recycled paper, so the quality comes without unnecessary waste.
The completed puzzle measures 46 x 69 cm, a size substantial enough to fill a table and reward extended attention. The box measures 22 x 27 x 5 cm and is sturdy enough to keep the puzzle intact between sessions.
What to expect from the solve
With 500 pieces and a composition rich in organic texture, this is a puzzle that asks for genuine engagement. The autumn foliage offers beautiful variation in tone without ever becoming monotonous, while the rocky outcrops and mist-softened distances provide clear landmarks to work from. Reviewers have described it as one of Pomegranate's more satisfying challenges at this piece count. It is well suited to puzzlers with some experience who want something visually rewarding rather than merely difficult.
A considered gift
Presented in a handsome box featuring the full artwork, this puzzle makes an exceptionally thoughtful gift for anyone with an interest in Japanese art, printmaking, or the natural world. It is equally at home as a personal indulgence. Once complete, the assembled image is well worth framing.
Specifications
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Soft armchair
$420.00
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